It’s the economy, stupid.

Political pundits pull the phrase out for their audiences every four years when searching for the key issue in the upcoming presidential election.

Of course, the economy is a broad topic that gives candidates plenty of wiggle room to claim that they — and only they — can point the market in the right direction.

When asked how they remembered recent presidents’ work with the economy, St. Joseph citizens were nearly unanimous in their views of George W. Bush (high gas prices), Bill Clinton (NAFTA) and George H.W. Bush (“Read my lips, no new taxes.”).

“It seems like you remember the bad things first,” Greg Masters said. “You never notice the economy when everything is going good.”

Mr. Masters admitted that he hasn’t followed the economy closely in the past, so he has started reading books on the subject at the library. He does not know who he will vote for yet, but he hopes the reading helps him make an informed decision in November.

So what kind of mark do voters want Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama to leave on the economy? Most locals agreed that the next president’s chief economic goal should be to find alternatives to foreign oil.

“We’ve got plenty of oil up in ANWR that neither one of the guys wants to touch,” Wayne Hills said while loading his truck at Home Depot. “At least McCain wants to drill offshore.”

Mr. Hills highlighted one of the key differences between the two candidates’ energy plans.

Mr. McCain wants the federal government to lift restrictions on offshore drilling and open drilling in th Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so Americans can cut the amount of oil they buy from countries hostile to the United States.

Mr. Obama originally opposed new offshore drilling, though recent comments hinted that he would consider the practice as part of a larger plan to cut energy costs. Mr. Obama’s primary goal is to use alternative energy to reduce the nation’s oil dependence enough so that oil from the Middle East and Venezuela is no longer needed.

Energy has proved to be an important issue in the Missouri governor’s race as well. The Republican primary between Rep. Kenny Hulshof and State Treasurer Sarah Steelman featured arguments over the viability of corn-based ethanol. Mr. Hulshof reinforced his faith in corn ethanol, and ethanol from other sources, when he visited Heartland Regional Medical Center in late July. Ms. Steelman did not support corn ethanol and called for a repeal of Missouri’s 10 percent ethanol standard.

Mr. Hulshof won the primary and will face Democrat Jay Nixon in November.

“I burn E-85, and that cheap gas was the reason I voted for Hulshof,” Mr. Hills said. “You save me money, you get my vote.”

For complete information on the presidential candidates’ energy plans, visit www.johnmccain.com or www.barackobama.com.

Business reporter Clinton Thomas can be reached at clintonthomas@npgco.com.