On CNN 's `` State of the Union , '' host and chief national correspondent John King goes outside the Beltway to report on the issues affecting communities across the country . This week , King traveled to New Hampshire , where diner patrons shared their thoughts on President Obama and the economy . The Tilt ' n Diner hosted all the major presidential candidates during the primaries in 2008 . TILTON , New Hampshire ( CNN ) -- Kate O'Leary voted for Barack Obama and began the year full of energy . But her hope is giving way these days to a sense that some things never change . `` I trust his motives , '' she said of President Obama . `` I feel like he is an honorable guy , I am not sure if he can do it . That 's the problem . '' Too much too soon is one of her worries . Too much politics as usual is another . Add in too much bailout money and Kate O'Leary is more sober now than she was when Obama took the oath of office . Across from O'Leary sat Debbie Lurvey , who took a job at the Tilt ' n Diner after losing her job in the mortgage business . `` It was a forced unemployment because of the economy , '' Lurvey said . `` So , you know , I decided that it was best to move on to something a little more stable . '' O'Leary and Lurvey are among those who think the economy is going to get worse before it gets better . But our third guest for our weekly diner conversation , Jim Wells , is n't so sure . `` I think most of it is psychological , '' said Wells , a Republican who believes consumers need to be more confident . `` The secret out of a recession like this is to spend money . And you have got to spend your own , you ca n't expect somebody else to spend it for you . '' He makes the distinction between consumer spending and what he sees as too much government spending . `` We are going to have to pay the bill in another two or three years and it is going to be scary when it happens , '' Wells said . All three agreed one thing missing from Washington is a spirit of cooperation and compromise . Lurvey said the pain of losing her job and dealing with foreclosure have taught her there are some things the government ca n't do . `` It is a good time to get back to what this country was made on -- it 's the family , '' she said . `` And you know I think for awhile we were all going crazy and overspending and living beyond our means and this has kind of been a reality check for most people . ''
Diner patron Kate O'Leary likes Obama , but doubts how much change he can bring . Republican Tom Ridge says consumers need to be more confident . Other diners says Washington is missing a spirit of cooperation , too . Going beyond expectations has been a ` ` reality check '' for the country , Debbie Lurvey says .