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This local husband and wife agree on most everything except who should occupy the White House. We couldn't watch the debates together at all, not even for five minutes, nope. Next on Q, surviving the presidential campaign inside a house divided. And local children weigh in on today's historic election. I know how to spell great DRE in. On Q starts now. And welcome to on Q on this election night. I'm Michael Bartley in historic election. It is coming to a close here in Pennsylvania and little less than a half an hour. Record turnout is predicted across the country today with voters standing in long lines telling reporters they were excited and didn't mind the weight. And very soon we'll know who will be the next president of the United States of America. On Q's, Tonya Caruso is live at the polls tonight, Tonya, what's going on? Well, Michael, I'm right out here in our

hallway actually as WQED serves as one of the polling sites for the Oakland area. The longest lines today came here just as the polls opened. After that, workers here tell me there was a steady stream for most of the day with a few gaps. But no matter what happens this evening, it will no doubt be in historic night. As we will either see the first African American president or the first female vice president. And so it was and continues to be a big day for voters all across this country and right here in Allegheny County. Oh, I think it's much more important than any that I can remember because of the historic nature of the candidates themselves. For the first time we get the vote for a black president. I think it's very important this year. I think that, you know, the strength of our country and, you know, the values that we have with the Constitution, everything like that are under attack and everything. And I believe that, you know, it's important for every single person to get out and vote regardless of who you're voting for. Historically, if you want to look at it, that there's an African American running for the election,

that makes it maybe a little bit more important. I'm here to make a change and I know Puzzle Van U is going to be a really big deciding factor in today's election, so I'm really excited to be a part of that. To vote, this is a historical vote and I want to be involved. I guess I think it's more important because if Mr. Obama, Senator Obama wins, I think the country has taken a bad turn towards socialism. I have been here so many years and I never got chance to vote for black president. The dressing the economy would be the first. I think the economy. Well, I think the economy is going to be huge because we're all going broke and we'd like to fix that soon sooner rather than later. That's the first issue. And the next issue is to get the heck out of the Middle East and let them people settle their issues themselves. And then secondly, I would say it would be the medical issue of those because

if you do have money or don't have money, when you do spend it, how are you going to be able to enjoy it if you don't have good health care? And going forward with the youngsters coming through the system, they need to health care as well. Economy. Now, after that, let's try to get together with creating jobs in this country. I feel like the most important issue and the most immediate issue is the economy, but definitely something behind my list is the environment and how we're going to, there's clean everything up, I guess. Debt, how much Debt he's willing to occur before he finally does something about it. Definitely the war in Iraq. I mean, that's where the majority of funding is going right now and we need help here in America. There are a million things that need to be addressed, but none of them can be addressed until we get our economy, both in the U .S. and the worldwide economy, back on track. Well, being that I'm a college student, I like the same type of college tuition prices, just because it affects me the most. The deficit, how far we're in debt, $55 trillion

in debt, are great grandchildren can't pay that off. Unifying the people, because it's been a really tough election and everything as far as division. And I don't think that the way that this campaign's been carried on, it's really knowing anything to you. And I think, if anything, it's trying to divide. You know, we're really separating, you know, both sides and everything. We are America and we got to get to work together. You know, and it's the American people that have to do it, not just the President alone. Yes, I'm glad it's here and I'm glad it's over. I'm glad it's going to be over with. I mean, it's been so much going on as far as who's going to win the negative ads and things like that. So I'm glad that it's finally over. Well, it's a relief. I'm tired of seeing all those TV ads and hearing all the rest of the nonsense going on, but it's great to have the day finally here. Relieved? I can't wait for the commercials to end. If I see another house burning down from Melissa Hart, I'll. I'm just happy to see it come to a, come to a halt. It'll

all be over one way or the other after today. And I think that Obama will win. I think that the people feel it's time for a change. Barack Obama. Definitely it's going to go for Barack Obama. I would like McCain to win, but if Obama wins, we've got to get behind him and support him. You know, he's our president. You know, we always get behind and support the president. And we should find out shortly later tonight. Our special thanks to Perina Morelli and Iris Samson who put that together and joining me now is Henry White. He's been working at the polls here all day long. And so we said early, steady stream, but just how many people have come through here? About 65 % of our normal registered voters have come through. And that's approximately 430 voters. So 430 voters and on a regular election recent years past, how many voters would you see come through? 250 at the max. And so

as you're seeing this long day for all of you here, people coming through, were they excited? Was it quiet? What was it like? It was exciting. People were very excited. A lot of first -time voters coming through, a lot of questions, but everything went smooth. And so no problems here today. No. Well, Henry, thank you so much. I know it's been a long night for you, long day for you, surely. Everybody else working here today. So thanks for your time and thanks for your service. Thank you. Okay. And so Henry, so many other people here and actually the poll workers across Pennsylvania, they're getting ready to call it a day in about 20 minutes from now. And it won't be long, Michael, before we begin to find out who will be the next president of the United States. We will know soon, Tonya. Thank you so much. And the one thing, Barack Obama, John McCain, have agreed on throughout the campaign, the undeniable importance of the election. And with the stakes so high, the politics can often get personal. Tonight, we revisit a Mount Lebanon couple who are polar opposites politically, living in a house divided.

And schoolers do the dance. When we first met Susie and Brian Walters four years ago, they were raising their two children, Sarah and Timmy, in this stately Mount Lebanon home. Brian, a local attorney and lifelong Republican. Susie, a history teacher and dedicated Democrat. Their nine year marriage firmly intact, despite an obvious difference of opinion about who should be the next president. One for Bush. I'm for Kerry. Four years later, much has changed, but one big thing has not. I vote for a McCain. For Obama. We'll keep taxes low. For Brian, President Bush's re -election was easy to accept. For Susie, not so much. I remember a lot of feeling down at work about it, but by the time I got home, I had reconciled to another four years of President Bush. I don't remember

talking about it very much to you. I think you were a very gracious loser. And you... Remember that. You should be able to do the same very shortly. And I think all along, I was confident about the outcome, so I obviously didn't rub it any more than what was necessary. Since then, the family has grown. Three -year -old JP on the left was born shortly after the election. Catherine, the baby, came along just seven months ago at just about the time the presidential campaign was heating up. The couple has also moved into a new home, and Brian has changed jobs. And when the conventions came around this summer, both Susie and Brian said they wanted to listen carefully to both candidates before making a decision. I went into the election season as well very much with an open mind. I was uncertain initially who I was going to vote for. And similar to Susie, my mind was made up right after the Democratic National

Convention, that I was certain I was not going to vote for Obama. And mine was made up right after the Republican National Convention, and then I was really sure I was not voting for McCain. He gets on his soapbox as often as he can. Talking about McCain's policies, whether they're economic or foreign policy, very passionate of which he speaks, I tend to be more quiet. He doesn't sway me at all, but I'll let him go on and on. No, and kids can attest to that as well. The little battles have taken place in the front yard. That's where the battles really have shown themselves. They've intensified there with the signage. We had some battles with the McCain and Obama sign. But the disagreements don't end in the yard. There have been many a spirited debate inside the Walter's home and we wondered who starts these arguments. I would say probably me, usually, I tend to be more impassioned about these positions and points. A confrontational, you mean? I am not at all confrontational, I don't like it. And as I said before, he refuses to bend on any positions.

He sees an argument as an opportunity to win instead of try to have a conversation. See, this is very funny. This is why it's very difficult to be in a household with a Democrat like Susie is because you paint things in such broad strokes and such blanket statements. That's a total mischaracterization of me. This is the person who I don't think is ever in an election voted for a publicate. Whereas I've actually in national elections voted for a Democrat, not for president, but for U .S. Senate. I voted for Casey over Rick Santorum. So there are instances where I voted for a Democrat. And yet, you're the one who says, I'm totally entrenched in my position and totally one sided. I mean, when I think you should look in the mirror and say, perhaps it's you that's that way. And again, I welcome you to join me in the middle of these discussions. There are political arguments and with no hard feelings, most of the time. We had one argument in

the summer where probably for the first time in our life, we went to bed not talking to each other. Because we got that frustrated with it. I think we were watching CNN and it usually starts with me blaming the media for having a totally one sided slanted opinion on a particular issue. And then Susie took a defensive position and the argument ensued from there and it escalated. I don't think there was any meme calling or... No, we're very civil and our disagreements use obsessed with this idea of a media bias. That's why I never have on Fox. Neither do I. I don't watch Fox either. But I don't watch MSNBC, so there we go. No kidding. Some couples with vastly different views might not survive under the same roof. But Susie says their long courtship gave her and Brian plenty of time to get to know each other. Five years and three of them were a long distance. So we've had a lot of time to talk

prior to getting married. So we knew what we were in for, thankfully, because it could be... It would be rough going if we got married only to discover these problems. When the Democratic Convention began, Brian and Susie were determined to watch it together. That didn't last too long. I get very frustrated. So I started out with the Democratic Convention watching from start to finish. But then my ability to sit through the whole convention. Each night there was less and less viewing on my part, kind of storming off watching something else. There are certain Democrats that will send him over the edge just to see, like Nancy Pelosi. When someone like Nancy Pelosi comes on, used to be Ann Richards from Texas. Can't even mention her name. His head might explode. So when people like that appear on the screen, then Brian has to leave the room. I, on the other hand, can watch any Republican you put before me. I'm happy to watch them. What frequently happens is when we're watching it or when the Democrats are speaking. I will then start critiquing what they're saying. He interrupts them and

becomes loud. And then I can't hear them. I can only hear Brian. So an argument or rubs over that. And by the debates. We couldn't watch the debates together at all. Not even for five minutes. Because you couldn't let them speak without interjecting. Now, I was just trying to clarify for you the incorrect points that were being made. That's because I was just trying to help you. Susie and Brian tell us they don't argue about politics in front of their children, but it seems there's always a little bit of campaigning going on. So the score was good. Did you have Jim today? Yeah. How was that? What did you do in Jim? We played take over the world. Was it fun? Yeah. Take over the world. That sounds like a very Republican game. Very good. Susie is as equally subtle while helping daughter Sarah with her homework. Meager. A very small amount. A small, right. Like McCain's chances of winning.

Hey, mom. You can't jump to winning. No, we're good. In this household, gender appears to play a major role in who supports who. I just think that McCain's a lot like George Bush, and I've lived with my mom four years ago, and I'm still with her. She told me stuff about Obama, but I vote for McCain anyways. Me too. Our daughter is with me in the Democrat camp, and our son, the eight -year -old, is with Brian in the Republican camp. Now, the three -year -old, the one I was pregnant with, was supposed to be the tiebreaker. He was going to be the one to sway the balance. He says right now that he's supporting McCain's, which makes me say that the baby Catherine is a Democrat. So, once again, we're in a house divided. No tiebreaker. And there will be no fifth child. So, we're going to have to live this way. Under the Obama Healthcare Plan, we couldn't afford a fifth child. Go on McCain. No.

You got to love that family. Susie and Brian have made a bet about the outcome of today's election. If Susie's candidate, Barack Obama is elected, Brian has agreed to do the family's laundry for an entire week. And if Brian's candidate, John McCain is elected, Susie has agreed to cut the next, all next summer, cut the lawn for the whole summer. Seems like a lawn balance bet to me, but maybe she's more confident tonight, what to see. Still ahead, out of the mouths of babes, find out what local kids have to say about the campaigns, the election, and their picks for president on cue continues. You're watching on cue because these foundations care enough about local programming to help pay for it. The Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Heinz Endowments, the McHughan Foundation, the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Grable Foundation. Additional funding is made possible by the Pennsylvania Public Television Network and by the Allegheny Regional Asset District, helping on cue showcase this region's vibrant

arts community. And these corporations also support on cue. When my good cholesterol number was really, really bad. When my fourth attempt to quit smoking failed. For my relax, it seems genes didn't feel so relaxed. When I'd leave the office, but it wouldn't leave me. What I wanted to make sure I stay healthy. High marks, lifestyle information, support, and health and wellness innovations like you have a greater hand in your health every day. No matter what the market does, when the economy makes waves, where can you find insight? The private client group at National City, which us is something we earn. And we couldn't do it without you, the members of WQED. Have you been to the ONCUE website? You'll see details about upcoming episodes on cue special reports

and documentaries. You can find info from past episodes and even watch some of them online. It's also the best way to contact us with story ideas, comments, and requests. All on our website, wqed .org slash on cue. With a campaign that unfolded over 21 months, we've heard from politicians, pundits, plumbers. But there is still one group that has a fresh political perspective. ONCUE's Dave and Dave went to McIntyre Elementary School in Ross Township to find out more. Well, tonight is election night 2008. And much like the 2004 election, it's really too close to call. And I think we're finding that Pennsylvania is a critical swing state in this year's election. That's right Dave. That is why we're here in Ross Township at McIntyre Elementary School to find out what's on the minds of some of Pennsylvania's youngest undecided voters. Do you know who's running for president?

Find their one of them. Okay. John McCain. Yes. George Bush. I know three of them. It's close. He is president. He is our president right now. John McCain. A Rockabama. Hair like written. John McCain, Barack Obama, and who? He said Hillary Clinton. And Hillary Clinton? Really? Is she back in? Hmm. Oh, I missed that. Okay. Well, that's good to know. That's like breaking this. So, who do you think you're going to vote for? Her Rockabama. Barack Obama? How about you, Alex? I've watched the guy's name with the white hair. John McCain. John McCain. John McCain. He has better healthcare. Oh, better healthcare. Rockabama. It's a Rockabama when she's going to take over the world. Rockabama. That's not real. I don't know. But he's younger than John McCain. But he's not, but he can be president longer. I'm not telling. Because John McCain's older. It's Barack

Obama your age. No. You can't tell who you're voting for. Is it bad luck? No. It should be a secret. Yes. I voted for Barack Obama. Did you? Yes. Okay. I'll tell you. Okay. Barack Obama. John McCain, you voted. You already voted. You already voted. So, the early voting then. Was it fun to vote? Not really. One second. You voted at the computer lot. And it was for a bike. So, he's voted with the computer. Wow. I didn't know where we were doing that now. I wasn't even aware we were one of those things. We need to check into that. How old do you have to be to vote? Do you know? 51. 5. 21. 41. 41. Yeah, that's a good one. Too late. 40 ,000. Wow.

6. 22. I click out to 100. Let's go. Let's see it. It's too high. I don't know. 16. Close. Wait, is that right? No, that's... That's dropped in a car. 18. What did you say? 18. Correct. That's right. Very good. Do you know who Joe the plumber is? No. Do you know what a plumber is? No. No. Fixes the pipes? Actually, dead plumbed something. And fixed a water? Who plumbed? And the toilet? There is poop a little bit of a toilet and a plummet. And take the poop out and flush it. If a car runs out of gas, a plumber comes fixed and fixed a car. Is your dad a plumber? No. Is your dad named Joe? No. Eric. Hey, girl, if you want to be a plumber. No! Stop! Stop! They're all leave! Can you see

Russia from your house? No. I can't. No. Look, Russia. Let me with the microscope. With the microscope. I can see the school from the woods. I can see everything. I know what the desert is. All right. Where's the desert? I don't like this hot thing. It's okay. That's enough talking. Hey! I can see Africa. You can see Africa. Oh, that's interesting. He probably lives by that. It's like around it. And that's where there's no dress. I'm just sad. Are you done yet? Yeah. Are you in favor of tax cuts? Did you guys lose a lot of money with the stock market dip and down? No. Stop looking at me. Yeah. I might wave now. I might wave too, because you're staring at us. Can girls be president? Yes. I really caught them again. There's only boy presidents. My brother told me about it. I think I don't know.

Friends, there's never been a girl president. Why? You're going to be the first. When you go up. I want to be the president. Did either of you ever want to be president someday? Yes. Me. I will love to be the world's greatest president. So, if you were president, what would you do? I would do it through a lot. I'll give money to everybody. One million dollars. Wow. Or two million dollars. You got my vote. I would vote for you. No one touched this pen tool. Would you ever put lipstick on a pig? No. Do you know what a maverick is? What? What the heck are you talking about? I know how to spell great dr. Ian. Do you believe in spreading the wealth around? Uh -uh. Do you ever see this show called day one, dude? No. No. You do our price funny. Thank you. How do you know my name? I know all your names. Johnny, Kira, Caleb. Do you know who Sarah Palin is?

Yes, Ellen. That's George Washington. I know it lives the George Washington. Sarah Palin lives with George Washington. Right? Is that what you're saying? Mm -hmm. Or either of your mom's hockey mums? No. But my dad's a hockey man. Are you talking to your kid chocolate? That's what you're meaning. Do we need change? Yes. What kind of change, dude? Um, $100. No, no, no, no, no, no. No. So Dave, they say all you need to know, you learn in kindergarten. What have we learned today? Well, Dave, we learned a lot. One, Hillary Clinton is apparently back in the race. It's surprising. Two, you can vote early in the state of Pennsylvania. I know them. And by computer. And three, nobody wants to be a plumber. Nope. If

you give everyone a million dollars, they have their vote, right? Yeah, they know more than we know. And that's going to do it for us tonight. It's going to do it for us. The voters as well. The polls will be closing in just a few minutes here in Pennsylvania. But one issue that is not going to go away once the polls close, the economy, whomever a new president is, he has a big job in front of him. So this Thursday night, join us for an on -cuse special edition. Secure our savings. We'll have financial experts here in the studio. And you'll have a chance to call in and ask questions live on the air and after the show. We also invite you to send in your questions now by logging on to our website. WQED .org slash on cue. Just click on the big talk to us button. And be sure to tune in live at 730 Thursday night for Secure Our Savings an on -cuse special edition. We'll be back tomorrow night live at 730 with a special, Roddy versus Mystic post -election wrap -up. In the meantime for Tonya Crusoe, all of us here on on cue. I'm Michael Bartley. Thanks for watching. Have a good night.

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