CNHI News Service

Little else was on Diane Brand's mind when she was asked to name the three most important issues weighing on this fall's presidential contest.

"Economy, economy, economy," she said.

Brand, 40, does not have it as bad as some. She is city clerk of New Sharon, Iowa, a berg of 1,301 people at the last census. She rents her home and does not face the crisis of living in a house with a falling value while covering a mortgage with out-of-control interest.

But the economy has changed her mind about whether to get into the market. "We had been thinking about purchasing a new house," she said, "but probably not right now."

It is also part of the reason Brand will vote Tuesday for Sen. Barack Obama.

"I feel like he will look out for the middle class and the poor by lowering the taxes," said Brand, who is a registered Democrat, like Obama, but also votes Republican.

The nation's troubled economy will be on the minds of many others who cast ballots Tuesday, according to opinion polls as well as a CNHI News Service survey of undecided voters during the month leading to the presidential election. Obama and his Republican rival, Sen. John McCain, are spending the last few days of the campaign convincing people they are the ones to cure it.

--- + ---

Reporters in CNHI newsrooms contacted three dozen voters still deciding which candidate to support a month ago. The voters represent eight battleground states that collectively account for 101 electoral votes.

All but six of those voters named the economy as one of their most pressing concerns. Half listed it as their top issue.

Over the past four weeks, more than a third have expressed a preference for one of the candidates. The others have made up their minds more recently - or will wait until the last minute to decide.

Recent polls show the majority will likely favor Obama. The Illinois senator is leading McCain in five of the battleground states where voters were contacted: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa.

Obama has a slim lead in two other states - Ohio and Missouri. A recent Indiana poll gives McCain a slight edge there.

-- + ---

Aanson Burlingame, 66, is planning to cast his ballot for McCain. Burlingame, a retired Navy officer and submarine commander who lives in Joplin, Mo., was still undecided when he said leadership and character were the traits he was looking for in each candidate.

In an e-mail earlier this week, Burlingame said he is now more confident in McCain's ability to lead during troubled times. Some describe the senator as a maverick because of his independence from the Republican Party. Some, Burlingame said, characterize that as lack of principle.

"I characterize it as strength of character to do the right thing," he said.

"Obama, on the other hand, is tied lock, stock and barrel to his party, and probably the more left-leaning side of his part," he said. "When Iran spits in his face and produces a nuclear weapon, he will not have the resources to adapt for the good of the country."

--- + ---

Barb Larson Taylor, 37, of St. Peter, Minn., considered both McCain and Obama to be strong candidates at the beginning of October, though she is unhappy with both vice presidential candidates -- Obama's pick of Sen. Joe Biden and McCain's choice Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

Taylor has decided the country needs change. McCain is not different enough from President George W. Bush, she says, especially as he appeals to core Republican voters for their support.

"I think the world is watching, and a vote for someone that appears most unlike what we have experienced in the last eight years will at least temporarily calm the economic uncertainty," she said. "The solution to the economy is too complex for a president to solve. But a huge factor is simple confidence and hope. Obama now seems to offer that the most."

--- + ---

Sandy Quarles, 72, has been a lifelong Republican. The last time he broke ranks with his party was in 1964 when he voted for Lyndon Baines Johnson.

John McCain, however, has been unable to close the deal with him -- yet.

Despite watching the debates and following the campaigns closely, Quarles, who lives in Kokomo, Ind., said when interviewed late last week he remained undecided. "I might not make up my mind until I walk into the voting both," he predicted.

A successful businessman, Quarles, like so many others, is worried about the economy. "To me this country is broke -- not only this country but a whole lot of contries."

The winner of Tuesday's election, he said, is going to inherit a tough assignment. "Whoever gets in . . . it is going to be a rough 24 months."

--- + ---

Bruce Baker, 48, said the campaign has been frustrating because in these troubled times both McCain and Obama have been playing loose with the facts.

He remains undecided on who to support. "One distorts the other's plans," said Baker, who lives in Jackson Township, Cambria County, Pa. "You can't believe either one."

Baker is self employed and operates a carpet and flooring business. So far he hasn't changed his own buying habits too much, but is uncertain what the future holds. "The economy really affects me. I'm in retail sales," he said.

Regardless of the nature of the campaign, Baker said he will vote Nov. 4. "I'll have to," he said.