Nearly 30 years ago, Ronald Reagan famously asked Americans, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" More than 60 NYCity News Service reporters fanned out through the city in the days before the historic Nov. 4 election to ask New Yorkers:
"Where do you want this country to be four years from now?"

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2008 Election Snapshots

Camille Lampel

Age: 18
Neighborhood: Washington Heights
Occupation: Student, Hunter College
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“We’re supposed to be world leaders. We’re supposed to be revolutionaries.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/camille-lampel_1-2.mp3]

Jillian Straw

Age: 18
Neighborhood: Harlem
Occupation: Student, Hunter College
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Independent

“I’d like to see a lot of social reform done in the next four years.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/jillian-straw_1-2.mp3]

William Vincente

Age: 23

Occupation: Unemployed

First time voter: No

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/william-vincente_1-2-11.mp3]Political Affiliation: Independent

Jose Rivera

Age: 44

Neighborhood: Hunts Point

Occupation: Contractor

First time voter: No

Political Affiliation: Democrat

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/joserivera_1-2-11.mp3]

Luis Vaz

Age: 42

Neighborhood: Jamaica, Queens

Occupation: Mortgage Banker

First Time Voter: No

Political Affiliation: Republican

“Too many of my colleagues have perished in this war.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/luis-vaz_1-2.mp3]

Steven Williams

Age: 50

Neighborhood: Queens Village, Queens

Occupation: Transit Worker

First Time Voter: No

Political Affiliation: Democrat

“People need to be bailed out with the houses before you fix the banks.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/steven-williams_1-2.mp3]

Kathy Forrestal

Neighborhood: Hillcrest Estates, Queens
Occupation: Museum Educator
First Time Voter: No

“I’d like to see people actually see doctors and get appointments with them sometime within a five-week window.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/kathy-forrestal_1-2.mp3]

Derken Lima

Age: 21
Occupation: Student, York College
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I just want to be secure.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/derken-lima_1-2.mp3]
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