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

Henry Blum

Age: 78
Neighborhood: Manhattan
Occupation: Optometrist
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: None

“We’re living in fear right now.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/blumhenry_1-22.mp3]

Eileen Lourine

Age: 58
Neighborhood: Ozone Park
Occupation: Sales Associate
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like the country to be more like it was in the ’90s.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/2008_10_eileen-lourine2.mp3]

Melissa Cabrera

Age: 33
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Occupation: Education
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/cabrera_1-2.mp3]

“Four years from now, I want this country to be in peace.”

Samantha Lourine

Age: 19
Neighborhood: Ozone Park
Occupation: Student
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I could not picture McCain in four years. It’s just more of the same.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/2008_10_samantha-lourine.mp3]

Enjolie Bryson

Age: 24
Neighborhood: Boreum Hill
Occupation: Medical Assistant
First Time Voter: N/A
Political Affiliation: Democrat 

“I want to see an effort to get more homeless people off the streets.”
[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/enjoliebryson_1-21.mp3]

John Perez

Age: 51
Neighborhood: Fordham
Occupation: $.99 Store Manager
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democratic

“We have to give them hope.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/election-gent.mp3]

Alvin Rivera

Age: 38
Neighborhood: Bedford Park, Bronx
Occupation: Auto Detailer
First Time Voter: Yes
Political Affiliation: Democratic

“These kids today…”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/election-dude.mp3]

Vivian Rodriguez

Age: 36
Neighborhood: Parkchester, Bronx
Occupation: Accountant/Radiology Student, Bronx Community College
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democratic

[Don’t] “Go Drilling, Drilling, Drilling”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/10/election-girl.mp3]
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