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

JoAnn Ross

Age: 37
Neighborhood: West Harlem
Occupation: Writer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I’d like to see a more socially conscious society.”
[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/11/1008-1.mp3]

Robert Varin

Age: 80
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Retired
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I would like us to get out of this morass that we’re in right now.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/11/robert-varin-2_1-2.mp3]

Hyman Balis

Age: 25
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Volunteer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“People will work, be able to make it. Things will turn around for the better.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/11/hyman-balis_1-2.mp3]

Eric Bandiero

Age: 47
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Dance photographer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“Get the budget in control and get the budget crisis straightened out.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/11/eric-bandero_1-2.mp3]

Ilana Glickman

Age: 22
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Occupation: Photographer
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Independent 

“I think that we’ve lost respect for ourselves, and the world has lost respect for this country.”

ilana-glickman_1-2

John Novoa

Age: 28
Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Occupation: Paralegal
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“The mess that Bush left for whoever is gonna be president is gonna make things very difficult but hopefully it will be peaceful.”

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

John Papais

Age: 54
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Occupation: Actor
First Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“I think Obama is going to surprise the world like a Kennedy.”

[audio:http://cdn.journalism.cuny.edu/blogs.dir/9/files/2008/11/john-papais_1-2.mp3]

Lisa Weiss

Age: 55
Neighborhood: Poughkeepsie, NY
Occupation: Landscape Architect
1st Time Voter: No
Political Affiliation: Democrat

“Having the proper economy, we can withdraw our troops and bring our guys and women home and stop the bleeding in terms of financial commitment.”

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