So Many Candidates, So Little Time Left

Views on Clinton were more mixed. Some found her "honest" and "caring" or "really focused." Negatives included "mechanical," "very good at saying what she thinks we want to hear." One was more blunt: "She's got an evil side to her."

Clinton prompted the most lively discussion of the evening, as the voters weighed her strengths and weaknesses.

Jason Marcel said he admires her "work ethic." "I think you know that she would work very hard," he said. But he said, "It annoys me that she kept referring back to the '90s. . . . I want to hear more about your plans for when you're in office."

"I think she'd make a great president," said Linda McKinney, 40, of Norwalk. "I just don't know that people would vote for a woman."

Edwards impressed people for his willingness to take on special interests and corporate power. One used the words "fierce determination" to describe him. Others called him "trustworthy" and "real." But he too drew a few negatives. One called him "slick"; another said he was not trustworthy.

Warrick, a Teamster, said he thought Edwards could be a successful president "because he stands for something, and I don't think he would back down. He doesn't seem wishy-washy."

Richardson was seen as "very knowledgeable," compassionate and "down to earth," but more vice presidential than presidential.

By a few of the Democrats, Sens. Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut were described as "forgettable" for their debate performances.

Two topics that got minimal attention during the final debates were of burning interest to these voters.

Among Republicans, immigration sparked a passionate discussion about measures to curb the flow of illegal immigrants across the border. Betty McIntosh, 72, of Pleasant Hill, works as a volunteer at a hospital and says she sees the strains illegal immigrants put on the system. "I hope this doesn't sound petty." she said, "I mean, hundreds of these illegals come in and have their children get free care, free clinic for all of this, and yet my insurance keeps going up and up."

Reid said, "We have communities in this state that have been taken over -- generational families have moved away, and it's all become a Hispanic community."

Democrats were almost as passionate about ending the war in Iraq. "The war is my biggest issue," said Carolyn Johnson, 72. "I think they need somebody that can get them out of there, not just in a month or two. It's going to take a while to get the guys out of there."

"I truly support the people that are over there," Primmer said. "But I think it is needless that the president went into war."

Polling director Jon Cohen and polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.