> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The pulse of the people - URL: https://www.smdp.com/the-pulse-of-the-people/ - Published: 2008-01-28T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-24T18:13:27.000Z - Author: Guest Author - Tags: Government & Politics, Promenade, #archive-import *CNN’s Election Express Yourself caravan comes to town* BY CHIARA CANZI I Special to the Daily Press PROMENADE To gauge public opinion on the upcoming presidential elections, the CNN Election Express Yourself caravan hits hot spots along the campaign trial and on Saturday, Santa Monica was its first Southern California stop. CNN staffers handed out specialized buttons to anybody interested in expressing their opinion regarding the race for the White House and apparently found quite a few takers on the Third Street Promenade. On average, the CNN button-makers make from 500 to 1,000 buttons during their stops and staffers give out CNN hats and stickers to participants. The 45-foot retro air steam trailer, co-sponsored by Time Warner Cable, is equipped with a polling station, message boards and a button-making station. Tanis Lickhatter chose the “I’m pro \_\_\_\_\_ “ button. She intently filled in the blank, but for her, the choice was simple: “I am a Hillary supporter,” said the Malibu resident.“She is very bright and she is the perfect candidate to become president.” Lickhatter was one of many onlookers who came forward and let their beliefs be known for all to see on Saturday. “The button idea is great because people can see the one you are wearing and they start asking questions,” she added. “We want to let the voters express what they feel about politics,” said John Dance, a producer and on-air promoter for CNN. “With buttons, they can express their views freely.” Santa Monica resident and Santa Barbara firefighter Fred Tan sported an “I’m pro Ron Paul” button. He was happy to take the on-the-spot survey whose questions focused exclusively on Iraq. “I am anti-war,” he said, “and I am pro Ron Paul for two reasons: First he wants to pull our troops out of Iraq and it’s not fair that American people are dying for the economy.” Tan also supports Paul for his track record. “He is a doctor, he has written six books on the economy and is against printing more and more money. We just don’t have it,” he said. Even for the undecided, the CNN button fest offers options. Santa Monica resident Brian Frates stopped at the button table and carefully inspected the different choices. He picked up an “I am anti \_\_\_\_\_” button, but he put it down. He skipped the “\_\_\_\_\_\_ for president” one and went directly to “I’m pro \_\_\_\_\_.” At least, he says, people can write about issues and not people necessarily, pointing to a woman’s “I’m anti everything” and “I’m pro peace” buttons. “My position is still up in the air,” said Frates. “There is a problem in the American voting system: The most qualified people don’t have the chance to become president.” Democrats Bill Richardson and Joe Biden are the perfect example, he said. “They both have immense experience but because they don’t have the money they are not considered legitimate candidates,” Frates said. “I think people are interested in progress, but there are far too many people in this country who don’t exercise their right to vote.” And that is exactly what CNN had in mind when the news organization launched the program. “We know at heart each voter is an independent thinker,” said Dance. “The caravan and the buttons are a way to make politics fun and to touch base with viewers in a personal way.” The next stops for the CNN Election Express Yourself caravan will be the Simi Valley Town Center on Monday, the Reagan Library on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Republican presidential debates and finally the Kodak Theatre on Thursday for the Democrat presidential debates. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/012808-11_01.jpg) (Photo: Photos by Geoffrey Dunn) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/012808-11_02.jpg) (Photo: Photos by Geoffrey Dunn) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 28, 2008.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/012808.pdf?ref=smdp.com)