With a week and half until the election, I'm wondering how anyone could still be on the fence as to who they plan to vote for.
I mean, what don't you know by now?
I heard an NPR report this morning that interviewed a few of America's alleged 16 percent of undecided voters. Considering the Obama / Biden ticket is as different from the McCain / Palin ticket as night and day -- what kind of rational voter hasn't decided which choice better reflects their political views?
On issues like Iraq, taxes, the environment, immigration, abortion -- both candidates have made their positions clear, and should undecided voters feel confused by negative ads or robocalls, they have better than ever resources to learn the unfiltered truth.
Unless undecided voters don't care about that kind of stuff, and are more concerned about Joe the Plumber or Palin's wardrobe, the choice should have been made a long time ago. And if the decision comes down to whether these voters are still choosing which of the personalities of the candidates they like better, since the apparent big issues don't matter, well, part of me wishes they wouldn't vote at all.
Seriously, my mind was almost made up before either candidate won his nomination. Not that either guy would've been my first choice, but in 2008, I know which party better reflects my views. When each candidate sewed up the nomination, I was almost rock-solid in my choice, and when they named their vice presidential picks, I was sure. End of story.
In a freak show sort of way, I enjoy the debates, the SNL spoofs, the foot-in-your-mouth moments from both sides ... but barring some major, major scandal -- I can't imagine voting for the other guy. Not now, anyway. Can you?
And I certainly can't imagine not knowing what I'm going to do 11 days from now.
Still, it's these remaining undecided voters that will decide the election, which sadly lends credence to the last-minute insanity we're witnessing on the campaign trail. I believe that both candidates, in their heart of hearts, wished they could avoid what this race has devolved into, but both sides (one with increasing desperation) knew it had to happen. Like it does every four years.
Talkbackers, you haven't been shy telling me when you think I'm really wrong. But if you disagree with this blog, please go to town by posting a comment below. And most importantly, please vote on Nov. 4.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
