Swing State Swing

Roy "Bud" Perkins, a fisherman from Wells, Maine, says he's talked to former President Bush, who has a home nearby, 40 or 50 times. "We talk more about boats than anything."

New Hampshire

Billy Bowley, working behind the counter at Marelli's general store in Hampton, N.H., supports President Bush. "I just like the guy. He's done a good job."

Pennsylvania

Construction workers Brain Thorsen, left, and Jeff May, high above Scranton, Pa., are solidly behind John Kerry. "[Democrats] are pro-union and I'm a union man," Brian says.

West Virginia

Melo Mweene, right, a student at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W. Va., is worried about the economy. "So many of my friends have graduated and not found anything. College graduates delivering pizzas," he says. His friend Shami is at left.

Ohio

Tiffany and Antonio Conner with their children at the Ohio State Fair outside Columbus. "I don't like him," six-year-old Larquan says of President Bush. "Because my mom tells me that he only likes white rich people."

Michigan

"It's pretty tough," says Kinderhook, Mich., fire chief Bill James. "Most of our young kids, our future leaders, they go to college and then they move out of the area because there's nothing here for them."

WISCONSIN

In downtown Milwaukee, Belinda Adams, left, and her friend Vernessa say they're both voting for John Kerry. "I prefer him over Bush," says Belinda. "I prefer practically anybody over Bush," adds Vernessa.

Minnesota

Heather Hamilton, 18, working at a produce stand near Rochester, Minn., is undecided about the election. But, she says, "It's kind of nice to know maybe you can make a difference just by voting."

Iowa

Keith Kyle of Buffalo Center, Iowa, a former Air Force man, thinks both candidates are out of touch. But, he says, "I'm going to probably end up voting for Bush because I do like his policies."

Missouri

Jacob Huff, 23, of Kansas City, Mo., voted for George W. Bush in 2000, but is supporting John Kerry this time. "Kerry hasn't done anything yet to wow me, but Bush has done a lot to repulse me."

Arkansas

Terron Strong of Pine Bluff, Ark., just off his shift at McDonalds, says, "Minimum wage is a hard way to raise two children, "$5.50, working like that." He says he'll "probably" vote for Kerry. "I really don't want Bush back in there."

Louisiana

Esteban Carter Jr., a New Orleans taxi driver, says he's voting for Kerry. Around his neck is a picture of his son Tristan, who's in Iraq. "I'm worried about him," Esteban says. "That's my son and I love him dearly."

Florida

Nancy Hess, pumping gas along Interstate 10 East near the Florida-Alabama border, is a Bush supporter. "I cannot stand him," she says of John Kerry.

Colorado

Theresa Blair, of Colorado Springs, Colo., voted for George W. Bush in 2000 but is switching to the Democrats this year because of soaring health care costs. "Things for me financially are a lot different than where they were four years ago," she says.

New Mexico

Santa Fe sculptor Sam Montoya has registered to vote for the first time in his life. The 60-year-old says he's voting now because we "gotta get Bush out of there."

Arizona

Delbert White of Winslow, Ariz., supports President Bush. "He has a respect for God. He goes ahead and tries to do what he wants to do. He has a respect for life which I appreciate and I honor greatly. I'll vote for either party whenever it's right but I just believe he's by far the best this time."

Nevada

This Las Vega Elvis impersonator is backing John Kerry. "Take it from me, Elvis Presley, vote for John Kerry. Thank you very much."

Nevada

Gino Salem (far left), his wife Rudayna, sitting with their 2-month-old baby, and 4-year-old son Alex at family's Las Vegas convenience store. "I'm going to vote for Kerry," Rudayna says. "Just because Bush made me hate him after what he did in Iraq, he killed so many innocent people."

WASHINGTON

Kathy Bailey with her granddaughter in Woodland, Wash. Kathy says Kerry is "just a politician like the rest of them but he's a Democrat so maybe he'll be easier on us. Bush to me is for big business."

OREGON

Rodney Kalka plays the trumpet on the streets of Portland. He says of the importance of this year's election, "In the scheme of things, if I could put it on a scale of 1 to 10, I would say 100."