What They Want Dole to Say

Times reporters talked to voters who had said in a recent Times Poll that they were undecided or only weakly committed to a presidential candidate. This is what they said they would like to hear Bob Dole discuss in tonight’s acceptance speech.

EDWARD FRANCIS FARRELL JR., 43 a printer, East Brunswick, N.J.

“That he wouldn’t let the Christian coalition or religious right run the party. They are too deep in the platform. I think they will alienate people who might vote for him (Dole) because of their abortion stands. I just don’t go for them. I’m pro-choice.”

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KEITH ROBERTS, 43, a construction contractor, Orem, Utah.

“Stop being a politician and be a human being and start looking at the real issues. We have become a country of politics and I don’t like it. I think it’s destroying our country . . . I’m not hung up on all of the key phrases being used in this battle like abortion or welfare reform. Those, to me, are Band-aids to real issues and problems.”

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CHESTER FREEMAN, 74, retired businessman, Cullman, Ala.

“A sensible solution to the economy--not tax-cutting, but a budget-balancing working solution. I don’t think tax cuts are the answer at this time. I think we must reduce federal spending, on the basis of a gradual work-down. If you cut taxes, you’re going to have trouble.”

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CHARLIE WILLIAMSON, 68, retired from wholesale building materials industry, Orlando, Fla.

“Some [specifics] on balancing the budget and taxes. Those are two things everybody seems to talk about and nobody has a clue about how to do it.”

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KEVIN CURRIER, 29, a salesman, Buffalo, N.Y.

“The abortion issue. If he came out and said he will be pro-choice, maybe, possibly. Everything they talk about--education and crime--it’s always there and important, but they just say what the cameras want to hear.”

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Hugh Marshall, 69. Retired engineer. Conway, S.C.

“Something that would resolve this abortion issue in the Republican Party. I’m inclined to be conservative and pretty much anti-abortion, but not solidly so; something that would allow all of those in the Republican Party to live within the Republican Party, regardless of what their beliefs are. Something that won’t split the party.”