SOMERSWORTH — A lot has changed since 2008.



This was the mentality Thursday night at Sumner Country Restaurant and Creamery when 2012 presidential candidate Ron Paul, R-Texas, visited with New Hampshire residents as part of a trip to the area.



About 20 residents and volunteers gathered at the restaurant to mingle and talk politics. Some came to learn more about Paul, while others came to meet with the candidate to whom they had already committed their support for the 2012 election.



Alan Stone of Rochester is one who has made that commitment.



"I like Ron Paul," said Stone. "I've heard and read what he has to say and I like it."



Stone, a recently retired member of the Armed Forces, said the war and economy are his two hot button issues for this election.



"I think he will be able to get us out of these two wars we're in and bring our boys home," said Stone. "He's a man of the constitution."



Erica Moore, also of Rochester, feels similarly to Stone.



"I've already heard him speak and I really liked what he stood for," said Moore. "I think he's a man who believes in the constitution."



Moore couldn't comment on one issue she'll be focusing on most in the upcoming election.



"There are way too many issues," said Moore. "We are living in scary times. There are a lot of things to be fixed. Obviously the economy, which is supposedly improving."



One of the youngest attendees of the event was Ian McCowan, a 21-year-old student from New Hampshire Technical Institute. McCowan, a resident of Farmington, voted for Paul in the last election because of information provided to him by some of his teachers. For this election, however, McCowan wants to learn more about Paul and his views for himself.



"I'm trying to feel things out, how he stands on certain issues and such," said McCowan. "I've been researching his views on certain topics. I was going to ask him about the adjustment bubble but I didn't get a chance to."



Like McCowan, Rochester resident Janet Ellis is also doing her research.



"Well, to be honest, I came here because I don't know who I'm going to vote for," said Ellis. "But I looked at clips of Ron Paul on the Internet and heard what he had to say, and I wasn't ready for his views four years ago in the last election, but now, a lot has changed; the war has gotten worse, a lot worse. I don't know if I'm going to vote for him right now, but I am more accepting."



Ellis' friend and fellow Rochester resident Alane Abbett feels similarly. Both women said the economy and war are two of the most important issues in this election.



"I consider myself lucky to live in New Hampshire where we get a chance to meet many candidates pretty early in the election," said Abbett. "From four years ago until now, a lot has changed. My opinions have changed on certain issues. My mind is a lot more open."