The Naval Academy Primary School fifth-grader is the only one in his class who favors Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain in the race.

Zak, 10, said he just doesn't like some of the statements made by Mr. McCain, but sometimes gets tired of standing alone. "I don't mind it so much until it comes up," he said.

Then, he admitted he's thought of switching sides just to end the discussion.

His classmates like Mr. McCain for numerous reasons: honesty, wartime service, and his plans for health care and taxes. They don't like Mr. Obama because of his positions on taxes and abortion, mainly, though several also mentioned what they perceived as character flaws and lack of experience.

Students at other schools cited similar reasons for backing one candidate over another, though the results were a bit different.

In a very informal survey, fourth-graders at Broadneck Elementary School and seventh- and eighth-graders at The Key School in Annapolis gave the edge to Mr. Obama, making the overall tally fairly close when the results for all three schools were combined.

Regardless of how they'd vote if they could, almost all the students agreed on these main points: They'd like to vote now, not wait until they're 18; and they're a bit sick of all the negative ads and campaigning.

"It sort of gets bothersome," said Marie Jendrysik, another NAPS fifth-grader. "(One candidate) says he's better than the other. ... I don't know."

An additional point the vast majority of students agreed on is that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin doesn't make a good running mate for Mr. McCain. Hardly anyone liked her, even among the Republican supporters.

"The only thing I do not like is Sarah Palin," said NAPS student Andrew Roberts. "She is sort of weird."

A couple of others later said the choice of Gov. Palin could end up costing Mr. McCain votes.

Asked who they'd like to see run if they could choose the candidates, many of the students, regardless of where they attend classes, said the current picks were satisfactory. Some instead threw out names like Sen. Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore and current president George W. Bush. A few added that their parents were also good presidential material.

This wasn't too surprising, given that many of the students admitted their views on the election mirrored those of their parents. This doesn't mean that they haven't been following the race themselves, though. It's hard to avoid, some said.

Broadneck Assistant Principal Jeffery Haynie said students are paying more attention to this election than ones in the past because of the war in Iraq and the economic downturn.

The contest certainly piqued fourth-grader Devin Woodson's interest.

The 9-year-old was wearing an Obama T-shirt and couldn't say enough positive things about the senator. "Me and my dad are really psyched that (Mr. Obama's) going to be the first African-American president and that'll make history," he said emphatically.

Devin said he's in favor of the Democrat's tax plan and stimulus package, though he's not particularly fond of his running mate, Sen. Joe Biden. About the only thing the student said Mr. Biden has going for him is that he's not Mrs. Palin. "Sarah Palin doesn't know what she's talking about," he opined, quickly adding that he also favors State's Attorney Frank Kratovil for Congress.

Devin was the only student at Broadneck who mentioned some of the other races on Nov. 4. A handful of his classmates hadn't even decided on who they like for president. Overall, there were five undecideds among all the students; they said both candidates have good ideas, but also tailor their remarks to get elected.

"They lie a lot," said Broadneck student Shannon Roth, 10. "They lie a lot to become president. They don't do everything they say."

Party lines

When Fortney "Fish" Stark and Margaret Smith talk politics, it's more debate than discussion.

Fish, 13, is a staunch Democrat and Margaret, 12, is a solid Republican - making for spirited repartee as they gathered with other Key School students earlier this week to wax political. Although the session was quite animated, attracting the attention of several other students and faculty who wandered into the school's library, both eighth-graders were able to smile at each other when the session ended.

"McCain is the better choice," Margaret said. "He's more experienced and he's in the middle, not always the party line."

Countered Fish, who is the son of California Rep. Pete Stark, "Obama is a much better choice. Obama wants to pull the troops out of Iraq."

Later, he added, "How can you call someone a maverick when you vote your party 95 percent of the time?"

Though he's concerned about the war and the situation in Afghanistan, Fish said the most important issue for him is global warming. For Margaret, it was the economy.

Two other middle-schoolers, Clark LeDane and Jasmine Mathis, cited the war as topic number one. "It's critical to keep the troops in Afghanistan and (Iraq)," said Clark, 12. "We don't want them to get their hands on nuclear weapons."

Like the others, most of the Key students said children should be able vote, although they couldn't agree on what age would be an appropriate starting point. "When you understand both sides and are able to comprehend (the issues)," Margaret offered.

"We should not have to stand by and let someone screw up the country," Fish added.

Key seventh-grader Carter MacLeod summed it up this way: "Sometimes, kids see stuff clearer. Sometimes kids know it better."

twinslow@capitalgazette.com