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What issues are important for undecided voters as they prepare to head to the polls? Plus – Will voter fraud be an issue Election Day?
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Well good afternoon everybody it straight up 1 o'clock on the East Coast I'm Harris Faulkner with a special.
Half hour for you today.
Is -- -- toward the election and I'm not ignore what's going on here on the East Coast but we're.
Just gonna focus on the election I know you've heard about the big storm sandy some of us are suffering through if you follow me on Twitter at Harris Faulkner.
You'll know it took me four hours to get here to the -- I'm so glad to be here today feel blessed by god to have what I have it's not a lot today but I got you know.
Watching and live on our chat today and that is -- true blessing let me tell you what we're gonna talk about for the next half hour because I'm guessing.
Since the number of undecided voters has grown worse to get some firm numbers on how many of you there really are.
Because we were told at the beginning of this election season posting conventions.
There were so precious few undecided voters but now we're finding out that more and more of you have not decided -- you really want to vote for.
Some of you weren't swayed one way or the other by the debates won two in three.
With the president and presidential candidates.
And then some fewer -- waited all by themselves you were actually -- maybe by the vice presidential debate because you thought that would have a little bit more substance -- Who knows why.
I feel like -- or maybe you didn't but whatever your cases.
The undecided voters in this election are very important particularly if they live in swing states.
Those eleven or so states that really will decide things for the rest of us no matter how we vote.
So this special half hour Fox News reporting that undecided voters and already some -- you -- in on the live chat.
-- no river -- Evans as -- hard for me to imagine a large number of people that are going to be standing in the polling -- contemplating their vote.
For the president these two candidates are extremely different.
And so many areas that if one isn't tuned in to the political climate a preference should surely be formed already.
Needless to say I'm skeptical of those who have not yet decided.
Who they will vote for -- -- -- seven on our live chat I'm appreciative of that comment because it is kind of arriving where we are today.
Hard to believe that people are undecided.
But they are I want to bring in my guests to talk about this.
Bradley Blake man who you know I have has been on with -- many times former deputy assistant to president George W.
Bush Brad did you see you today.
Let me see I don't quite have audio -- you let me turn you Brad.
Yep I'm here okay there you are.
And he's -- Stewart is joining me for the first time this is our first meeting former chief of staff for representative Harold Ford junior and the chairman and managing partner.
If I ever read LLC good to see you both joining us today from DC -- my -- Here is are you fabulous.
Let's start with and where you gentlemen think.
The undecided -- -- in this country right now I was just explaining to viewers it's hard to get a hard number on that.
Because it fluctuates people are you know letting the determining factors -- debates or how they feel when they wake up in the morning.
If -- in swing states they're bombarded by these ads start -- start with you who are these people.
Yeah I mean that's that's a great place to start the reality I think that the ads have.
Just sort of confused and driven people to.
Totally different place I mean I don't know in and have we seen this level.
Acrimony in this level of -- city when it comes to whether it's radio or television.
Or even those are walking precincts this level of of intense when it comes to the ad wars.
I'm I'm not for certain these folks are -- obviously in swing states like Ohio and Virginia and North Carolina Virginia.
-- I think people are filling.
That that this is going to be very critical for them to make a decision on Election Day is it will be.
But did -- it to not know your decision at this late stage of the election cycle is this is perplexing to say the least.
Up Brad your thought on -- Well you know independence is kind of fashionable to be one today you know I don't I just copyright there just -- undecided does not mean you're an independent.
That's -- -- -- good luck but where a lot of the undecided voters are independents the swing voters are.
On the democratic Reagan voters in my book.
When we're looking -- -- the Romney side who are willing to make that switch.
But independents.
It is kind of fashionable to be an independent today.
Because you're not aligned with any party for whatever reason.
You chose choose not to align yourself -- the party and that's who I believe we're speaking to the undecideds tend to be.
Independents or people who have voted for Obama.
In 2008 -- are not prepared to vote for him in 2012 perhaps.
But it's all gonna come down a pocketbook issues they're gonna walk in to the voting Booth and asked themselves -- and -- better off today.
Perhaps they filled their -- recently in and saw -- 100% increase in gasoline since Obama took office.
But it's all gonna come down kitchen table discussions -- their family and when they walk in there they're gonna look at their.
Wallet they're gonna say I'm better off today or not better off.
You know you've heard it's an excellent point hold on 12 if you would -- Like an article by a writer that I read every now and then who writes for the Tahoe daily Tribune I went to high school in northern California so I I read some.
Some pretty wide expanse of the things up the difference -- road is one who are following he says in defense of the undecided voter.
And normally when he writes he's writing other -- you know everybody else.
Just this confession for being an undecided voter I had to laugh out loud.
But brat you may have hit something here as you go down about three or four paragraphs after the long -- confession.
He says I am -- left -- -- who previously voted for Barack Obama with clear eyes.
Having looked -- record I knew he was no progressive much less -- Marxist services.
Conservative -- -- had claimed skip ahead skip ahead just because he kind of goes back and forth between.
You know a little bit a history a little bit of his personal feelings.
Now four years later.
Obama and Democratic Party affiliated media outlets are demanding -- voters ignore his record or at least believed the president Mitt Romney would automatically make things worse.
And then he says but you know for many there are far too many similarities between these candidates.
Jarvis I ask you has the president made his case about how different.
He is not or is from Mitt Romney.
Well I think it's been a struggle I mean I think many of us within the party and and independents as well.
Have have a -- wanted to see more from the president not only in the last.
45 months but I think from the very beginning.
For the president to really step forward in lead.
On several big issues obviously he's taken on.
Health Care Reform obviously he's taken on you know Osama bin Laden -- so many other issues that auto bailout in in Ohio a number of different places.
However when you look at issues around housing when you look at the issues around.
That the national.
Economic.
In jobs.
Campaign I don't being that the president has done as well of a job or his message.
His positions as well as -- of us would like now.
There's the flip side to that is we're still waiting law and governor Romney -- to say what he's gonna do.
He's his campaign has been primarily based on the failed the perceived -- record of the president.
But not really -- a clear path forward what his plans will be going forward.
Now what's really interesting with -- housing for example -- all right.
Gore and governor governor governor Riley I don't mean to cut -- on you a little bit but I -- we need to because I want to be able to now go to.
One of our correspondent -- a swing state you heard Brad and and both of you gentlemen have talked about the importance of the swing state.
But if in fact undecided voters.
Are in those swing states and some of them are independent as Brad has indicated.
There are some issues out there that might be determining factors for them Steve Brown is live near Columbus, Ohio and -- -- the -- talk where you are is energy take it away.
It certainly is it's a burgeoning place for natural gas exploration -- -- fracking.
-- the big topic in one of the swing -- areas of the statements eastern and southeastern Ohio.
He is Cole and out there.
Coal provides some of the best paying blue collar jobs that you'll find in the region it is not unusual.
For someone who works in -- -- -- to work sixty to seventy hours a week.
On average -- really excellent benefits these are jobs that are highly sought after and given the overall job picture out there in 2012.
They are among the very best -- you can find outside of retail.
It's the only job right -- coming -- -- he appeared on medical field.
Coal miner still -- are -- down.
They civility trying to.
You get school teaching medical coal -- Now one of the things that most folks most folks that have voted Democrat and Republican for a long time out there are not fond of and that would be the EPA the Environmental Protection Agency.
It is -- -- -- new regulations on smokestack industries like.
Coal fired electrical generating plants.
That have been a little difficult for them to swallow and here's why just in the state of Ohio alone.
Twelve coal fire plant has plants are shut down over the course the last three to four years.
Another seven coal mines have shut down and folks out there believe that's related -- to take a look at the statistics.
Essentially -- hiring -- -- work.
Is the same it's down about 31 jobs for -- was two years ago coal production is actually up.
But the folks out they -- say that we know that there is a worldwide demand for this product not just here but in other countries China being one of them.
That really want to get their hands on what it is that they can produce out here and that there would be a lot more jobs a lot more opportunity.
And they placed a finger of blame squarely.
On the EPA they believe that the regulations are too harsh they could have been phased in they could have been made it easier for the folks in the in the -- And we are losing -- brown right now in Ohio but he was bringing us up to speed.
On one of the most important issues going on in Ohio right now and if you're keeping track of how many times these candidates have Criss -- that state high you'll lose counted about a dozen or better than let's bring back our guests now.
-- -- -- -- -- -- Gentlemen I want to share a couple of polls with you if I can.
Recently a Fox News poll and this is the very latest this was just released.
Choice for president among -- likely voters dead even at 46%.
Brad that means that people who have not made up their mind -- are gonna play a bigger role than we -- thought even if we're squeaky close with just how small that number of them might be.
No doubt about it -- and -- -- saying it for a long time.
Both Obama and Romney are likely get 47% of the vote and actually we're fighting over 6% in battleground states.
And now you have to drill down to counties and municipalities.
-- -- get out the vote it's all gonna be motivation.
The good news is the polls are reflected that Republicans have a more motivated base.
Much more energized than pres Obama so it it's going to be.
Easier for us I believe to move people to vote especially those people who weren't affected areas this storm the storm has affected.
Battleground states like Virginia and Ohio so -- it redouble our effort to make sure that every eligible voter gets out.
And drivers your thoughts on this I -- just how critical this group of people could be eight.
Yeah I mean I would I would I would differ somewhat with my friend Brad largely because I think what you're seeing from the president.
As a release to sandy and -- -- in particular.
Is is his.
His move to be very presidential and to move with great.
Precision.
To help those affected.
Americans.
I agreed that the storm may not have been affected have an impact -- those in Ohio.
And Virginia as it has in New Jersey in New York but the reality -- is I don't care where you are in the country.
You want your president to care for all Americans and I think the president is demonstrating.
With his ally in Charlotte and I thought you know I'm the guy he's done that criticized all frazzled but to say that it's shifted to -- -- no I'm not criticizing the president at at and I -- you're -- I criticize.
I I heard exactly what you said I just differ with you in terms of being able to turn out to vote I think people will be motivated.
This now that the president is moving in the direction that represents all Americans and is willing to do what it takes.
To bring these folks out of the despair that they're currently -- it's a very critical point to bring home.
Gentlemen what I had hoped for this half hour is that we -- you west politicking in a little bit more of figuring out who these people are and what they want.
But you know I have to be honest it's almost impossible not to get into the politics of it because.
Really and truly if you're at a point now.
And you don't know who you want to vote for you're only going to have going into that polling -- what you see in the next three or four days now drivers mention something.
Hurricane or super storm sandy as it turned out to be super killer sandy it's been awful here on the East Coast.
I jury and in the aftermath and a great distraction from the election.
But -- I'm wondering which electorate that really bugs more of the people who -- up their minds and they're gonna try to get to the polls but they can't.
Or the people who really don't know.
And boy is this a distraction maybe a welcome one and they just won't vote at all -- -- I think people there are going to be motivated to vote.
On the Republican side and independents independents those people who have not made up their mind are waiting for the closing arguments which are gonna happen in the next few days obviously.
But that -- -- -- a one week of a present acting presidential doesn't make up for four years of disastrous leadership.
-- -- the fact is that the affected areas are Blue States primarily to the president was gonna get that state of new York -- New Jersey in any event.
But those people in battleground states and those are not affected.
By hurricane sandy they're going to be going into the voting Booth and -- going to be asked themselves two questions and I better off today there was four years ago is the country headed in the right direction.
And and and those -- the questions I think that act against the president why because the president is a record.
And I believe that the alternative to change.
Has to be a reason for change and if somebody voted for Obama 2008 than they need that reason that tipping point.
To go and give the benefit of the doubt to the new guy Romney.
Not all right I want to talk about another fox Bono I come out your fires are started -- ahead and talk about another fox poll here.
You know -- -- -- senior advisor of team Obama set a few days ago.
About the storm and he may be right about this I'm not sure but he said.
You know we -- -- where we're going to be going into this because neither candidate is going to be able to -- to get through the heavy media coverage.
I mean obviously it's a huge story it impacts millions of people.
So I don't think he meant this in any kind of way against that -- he's like nobody's going to be able to permeate that.
So whatever you had going in this is what shall have I wanted to consider this okay.
Because these -- were released last Thursday night before the storm hit.
Are you.
Satisfied now with how the country is going today.
Okay 46%.
Said yes 53%.
Said no.
That is very very rocky place for this president going into Tuesday especially if the message stopped last week Jarvis.
And and I think I agree with a 100% there and I think most of the voters so most of those that -- surveyed in that poll.
Is pretty accurate number.
I think the president has made the case from the very beginning that if it was a mess when we got into this.
When he got into the White House and obviously is going to take more than four years.
Now keep in mind -- 46 to 53.
Is it could be much worse than that I think we're -- -- -- not happen without a doubt this tonight and had a nice you're absolutely no worse.
-- -- the reality the reality is we're talking about a governor who wanted to get rid of FEMA.
But now he's in support of FEMA right speaking of governor ironic that so now he's -- that's that's point.
Number one number two is.
When you look at where the economy was three and a half years ago and look at where it's on its way to now -- obviously the numbers are getting better.
The GDP is growing slowly I agree but it is growing off and I think people I think people are beginning to see.
That list and we are not where we were but we are definitely better than where that debt and auto rotate.
Getting better and I think that's going to be what they're gonna taken to the polls on Election Day.
The reality as governor Romney has still still has not been very clear and decisive.
About what his plans are all he tells us is that I'm not Barack Obama and I can do better if you just give me a chance well that's not enough.
Many -- we're gonna -- -- -- -- on the website look at the website you know I will -- -- and got -- -- -- a little bit there and Travis I think you have to go to the website.
You know I I anchor fox report on the weekends we took a little bit of governor Romney and -- no matter what your views are politically it was hard to come away from a couple of his stump speeches over last weekend.
Where you didn't kind of know -- was it about so Jarvis.
The I'm not President Obama argument never came out of his mouth he actually ticked off the five things and and I didn't see what on -- are we the audience the likeness that you're talking about so.
So -- I'm almost helping you make your point.
Because you don't have to go to the web -- you could just listen.
Well Harris the reality is we're just now starting to see a different all right I what I did -- just a -- speak out there rapture but.
Romney has been quite clear.
That when he becomes president.
It's going to be a true bipartisan.
Partnership.
In order to tackle heavy problems that we face he's not going to be like Obama we're not gonna rule out of ideology -- -- -- -- -- out of reality the problems that need fixing.
Are going to be fixed we're not gonna break something to fix something.
We have enough problems to fix this country without ruling out of ideology on things that may -- that the most harsh members of our party want -- -- advocates.
Which doesn't make sense like you guys did with a obamacare.
-- instead of fiction because I economy -- created a whole new program that today the American people don't like it Romney's talking about.
Not spending is a more than we take it.
OK that's a great plan you guys haven't been able to produce a budget for years.
All right gentlemen I need to go to our our correspondent standby 12 William lives and -- live former LA bureau.
And -- we've been talking swing states a little bit and undecided voters William there are some people in the a particular area where gun owners.
-- really not happy with what's going on bring us up to speed on the on the story.
It will you know that the last four years here is -- controls really been a non issue thanks to a program congress at a conservative majority on the Supreme Court.
But -- the president's stunned donors stunned.
Gun owners with his plans for a second tour.
This is the Smith & Wesson model right here.
In this swing state of Ohio in Colorado gun owners could pose a problem for the president -- worries me the most about President Obama getting reelected is it.
At that point we'll see the real true Barack Obama.
They're concerned his plan to reduce violence by seeing if we can get.
An assault weapons ban reintroduced almost like I was born in the country country -- -- had the right to keep and bear arms and I don't understand what he's talking.
-- makes me nervous.
May have.
Three children in the home to taxes.
Stephanie Thomas rushed to the Cincinnati gun store after hearing the president I'm definitely concerned that's actually -- -- -- wanted to commend them for the elections make record checks in the event that.
That the industry state and.
Ninety million gun owners live in the US but in the eight battleground states two point one million bought guns already this year.
And two million -- hunting licenses they -- fifteen is on the most popular sporting rifles out there are now gun owners fear the president would ban America's top selling -- the AR fifteen weapons that were designed for soldiers.
In war theaters don't belong on our streets after mass shootings in Colorado and Wisconsin activists wanted the 2004 assault ban renewed.
Opponents say Obama misrepresents.
The guns danger.
The firearms they're classifying -- assault weapons were used in less than one.
Point 5% of all the firearms crimes.
So here's the point is this takes -- states Virginia.
Colorado.
Wisconsin.
Ohio clothes are all very big gun owning states.
And right or wrong than -- NRA immediately jumped on what the president said.
Promising this assault weapons ban.
They're now running ads in seven toss -- states telling their members at the Second Amendment Rights are in jeopardy especially with the Supreme Court in his second term.
So for these people and they do vote that is another thing about a gun owners -- could be a margin of error margin of difference.
For one of the candidates back to you.
All right thank you very much Julie will bludgeon us we're gonna go back to our guest panel in just a moment let's to step away for a quick quick break stick -- We're spending a half hour across the lunch hour today I'm Harris walker talking about undecided voters who got our live chat going Ivey says.
Governor Romney could not be more clear and frankly I'm a bit confused about the president's position and general lately.
I'm taking Obama is more of a Republican.
Have you decided that for whom -- vote.
Many of you say you have yet when we poll people we find out there quite a few people in and a growing number of them.
Who haven't decided we're talking about the issue today now what -- things that comes up.
When you talk to people who were kind of wavering on where the others like well we're we're worried that maybe our vote won't count.
Or won't be counted there alluding to voter fraud.
We've got Eric -- looking into the issue as we do each election he does a fabulous job at it.
He's live -- in Ohio a very important state no Republican has won the presidency in if you look back.
No Democrat and a number of years but certainly no Republican in the history without winning Ohio Eric Shawn take -- away.
I Harris how are you were in the Lorain county board of elections that kind of an interesting story these are touch screen machines and -- anybody around the country asked them.
But there are reports around the country from several places that.
If someone touches the person they want for president that an -- actually.
Cliffs over to the person they don't want about that.
We have reports -- Fox News of this occurring from voters in Nevada and North Carolina and here in Ohio.
We are here in -- marine county board of elections headquarters to voters here and officials here say they have been no such problems like this everything as you can -- he's been going very smoothly.
But in memory in Ohio one voter said this happened to her.
She's told us -- -- Stephens told us that she went to vote for Mitt Romney who pushed his name three times in the acts.
Flipped over to President Obama instead of her -- She did say though that after -- trying that three times the machine the touch screen machine.
Did finally get her vote correctly but she said this experience -- -- -- I didn't have to happen to anybody else -- not.
But just the first time and all these years we've noted that this is ever happened to me.
-- Rogers ahead of the election board there says my personal opinion is that she either hit it too hard.
We've noticed people just punch and then she might not have hit the square that she wanted -- -- -- told me she.
Put a finger in the middle of the the candidate's name.
The board of elections had also says there are no other reports like this there and she is adamant that there are no problems.
But there have been problems with touch screen touch screen machines.
Around the country's for a number of years here in Lorain county for example just this past year they have to replace 400.
Of the 12100 touch screen machines because of issues with them and be -- director of the -- options for the county.
Paul Adams told us that the county itself.
And to do it diagnostic test.
We have heard of these issues since.
-- the other counties we have sporadic issues a few years ago since then we've upgraded our software and our board has replaced.
Most of our touch screen -- screens if there was any problems with them and since we've done that -- a year and -- half -- we haven't had any kind of major issues.
Also mr.
Adams another election officials have told us for those who wonder it's impossible they say.
To pre program electronic machine -- like vote for a candidate or slate.
That everything is -- -- and you just can't do that with electronics and other way to the screen you've got the screen here.
The names of people don't have this where you live the names come up when you -- the name of the candidate you want animal acts is there and then finally this this cast ballots.
When you finally want to cast your ballot and just to be sure it's just not stay here in the screen that you got this little do -- -- -- look.
You get a paper this is what's called the business a paper trail.
This is -- received you know we just shows you exactly what happened so that when he comes with the machines terrorists.
They can do what counts is what this is a backup system they could do with counterfeit.
That paper trail.
And as far as -- is concerned the woman in -- Marion she wants everyone to know check.
Double check who you vote for -- -- advice to make sure that you don't vote for someone you don't want she said that doesn't matter who we vote for she just wants to make sure it.
You can get -- right correctly Chris because when you push that cast a ballot button it's too -- -- over back you know -- down -- I think it's interesting that they blamed her finger I think we've heard that argument before.
It must have been the person I remember what it was remember out with Wall Street and pick -- the problem.
With all of the being the monitoring systems about a year ago.
Other was a huge blitz and they they blame the fat finger it's amazing that they would -- the -- that's by the way Erica they're looking into this to the Denver -- Is reporting that there are people who are concerned about these touch screen voting machines because.
They seal according to the critics that they're vulnerable to tampering and malfunctions you've given us a whole bunch of reasons why they might not be.
But it is a sensitive issue for voters out there we appreciate you look at and -- it.
They're really as a people as some people don't trust the machines for example they don't I'm not sure what happens but every election official that we've talked to have said they can't be.
Pre program the computers that the computers can't be manipulated with a though others say they can be.
There are for prefer MIT -- -- professors were able to hack into it.
Voting machine.
As part of a test at one point that was just to test.
But officials still stand by the machines -- -- others say there have been.
-- lots of problems especially with one brand that is really widely used that much anymore.
Right I like the backup system though the paper all right Eric Shawn thank you very much let's quickly go back -- panel.
Bradley Blake but it -- Stewart with a couple of last thoughts OK gentlemen I want you continue to put yourself in any candidates place I don't know for -- Brad UB governor Romney and drivers you meet President Obama you're closing argument to an undecided voter mr.
-- -- Well closing arguments -- undecided voters is who we are on a good path it has not been easy.
But we -- on a path to bring this country back to -- it we all know it can't be -- prosperity.
It's no time -- time is not now to shift gears.
And go in reverse let's continue to move forward joy take my hand and walk with me.
Two the promised land.
Wow that was very mr.
Obama like act of -- going to be governor Romney now mr.
Blake went.
What we've got to do and America is get back to the basics which make us a great country and that is we can't spend more than we take -- We've got to empower the individual we've got to reduce the power of government.
Over our individual lives government should only do for the people but the people cannot do for themselves let's unleash the creativity ingenuity.
Of the American people.
And get the government out of the way and we're going to do just fine in America the best days are ahead of us.
But the individual is what is going to move America forward not the government.
Creating more government and more of -- burden on the people.
All right now you judge your own closing arguments by this last Fox News poll here the most important issues in deciding.
Who don't look for according to a Fox News poll survey of project of likely voters economic issues.
44%.
Actually down a little bit cents forty since September when it was 47% fiscal -- 6616%.
Social issues 13%.
National security 7% well that's grown quite a bit you wonder if if Bob big -- and and the role.
That the investigation into what really happened there -- our ambassador Chris Stevens and the three other Americans were killed.
If you wonder if the role of where that investigation is is playing a part in all of this and then all of those issues eighteen to 14%.
What does that communicate to you real quickly Jarvis about where the undecided voter might be.
Along those lines.
Well it's all about jobs and the economy is just the bottom line I think I think voters want to hear more from both candidates.
In the direction that we're going as a nation and I think both of them have done.
A reasonably good job considering all the ads that are out there and and and obviously now.
Hurricane sandy but I think President Obama has done the best job in is is got to bring home -- victory on Election Day.
You know it's interesting you say jobs in the economy I listen closely to your closing argument that you did ask me to hold your hand and walked to the promised land -- caught up part.
The other -- didn't say you're gonna help me find a job would you like to admit your closing our.
Obviously obviously the promise that is that is this to have -- -- the lower unemployment and an indie movement so really rejuvenate the middle class and -- that starts by having a job in.
Being able to grow your business so that's that's part of what we are as Americans.
All right -- last word ten seconds.
What we have to do and Americans get back to basics and that is.
The power of this country is with the people it's not the tail wagging the dog with -- government telling the people what's good for them we know what's good for us.
And a four letter word from all of us boat.
No matter -- -- who all right Trevor Stewart thank you for being here Bradley minimum half hour from both -- -- I had our correspondents who took part -- -- -- live chat for up whenever our programming -- live here on foxnews.com you can follow me on Twitter as well at Harris Faulkner -- seeing some tweets from you now.
I -- who says -- birds still don't understand how anybody could be undecided.
Well they only have till Tuesday.
Have a great day.
