The Nation: THE VIEWERS TALK BACK

To Manhattanite Kathryn Bridgman, 25, "Ford exuded the personality of an overcooked noodle." But Bostonian Sam Jones, 28, felt the President "sounded much better than usual." Nettie Goldstein, 63, of Skokie, Ill., dozed through some questions, but what she saw led her to conclude that "they both came off very well." Frank Amarillas, 39, of Douglas, Ariz., disagreed. Said he: "Carter shouldn't grin because it's a gentlemen's debate. Grinning hurt him."

The four are among 60 carefully selected voters of varying ages, walks of life and economic status from all parts of the country...

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