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Name: Tom Hounshell Age: 61 Hometown: Hamilton, Ohio Occupation: Miami University Metro bus driver Political Affiliation: Democrat Choice for President: Obama
Driving a Miami Metro shuttle between Miami University's Hamilton and Oxford campuses, Tom Hounshell is in many ways Miami's version of Joe the Plumber.
Hounshell works to provide for his family paycheck to paycheck and saves when he can.
However Hounshell said he fears he may become one of the approximately 9.5 million unemployed Americans.
"I would like the next president to get better jobs and more jobs," Hounshell said. "That's the main thing (influencing my vote)."
In addition to driving a Miami Metro bus for nearly five years, Hounshell also works as a part-time auctioneer, making him among the 5.3 percent of Americans with multiple jobs. Hounshell said he previously worked as a technology supervisor for 20 years.
To Hounshell, the influx of political ads and campaign smears has made it difficult to find the truth about each candidate.
"I'm a little bit leery of both of the candidates," Hounshell said. "I guess Obama would be my choice."
Although the presidential election is the headliner on the November ballot, Hounshell said he is also concerned about school issues. As a resident of Hamilton, Hounshell and his wife of 42 years will be voting on Hamilton school issues, including higher prices.
While January report in Congressional Quarterly showed the average American college students graduates with $20,000 debt, Hounshell said he is worried his own grandchildren may not be able pursue higher education.
While Hounshell may be sold on Obama, his wife, Velma, is a registered Republican.
Despite the difference, Velma said the two do not have many confrontations at home and usually agree to disagree when it comes to politics.
"We talk about politics at home sometimes, but not a whole lot," Velma said. "I'll be changing some this year because we are usually split. He's a very strict Democrat. Generally we talk about the issues and what we each think, and what's going on in the world and what changes would we like and expect to see."
