Sunday, November 4, 2012

Election, Election, Election

I started my day watching Meet the Press and finding myself a little frustrated with the media.  The discussion on most of the Sunday morning news shows had to do with how the candidates can get enough states to win the electoral college.  I like the way the media assumes that all but eight states are already decided.  The candidates are now spending their last few days trying to sew up those eight states so one of them can win.

I wonder how many voters will just say the heck with it and stay home.  After all, here in Washington, the media says we are a blue state with no real say in the outcome.  Somehow it doesn't feel good.  I still voted, although I did consider not voting at all.

I will be so happy when the election is over and the campaign ads are gone....

6 comments:

  1. Ken, I don't see how it's the media's fault as it's the campaigns themselves who are spending all of their time in the 8 or so battleground states.

    The media is simply following the candidates around and reporting. When was the last time any candidate for President came to Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Wyoming or North Dakota?

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    1. Perhaps it is neither the media or the candidate but what the media and candidates choose to do with the information they get from the pollsters.
      Or it is we the voters whose states who have voted along party lines for the past 40 years.
      Swing states, those who could vote either way, are the focus of the candidates, media and pollsters. The rest of us are left wondering if our vote will matter and I am sure that after this weekend and all the reporting by the media, there will be eligible voters who choose to stay home or toss their ballot in the trash.

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  2. I do think the media should exercise some restraint in "calling" the election before it is even election day. Let the people vote and then we will see how it all shakes out. The danger lies with some voters not voting because either, A. They feel their candidate doesn't need their vote, OR B. They think the opposing candidate has already won so there is no reason to vote.

    Of course all voters need to not be swayed by media hype, and vote anyway. If you surrender your vote simply because of media polls and senseless talking heads on news programs, then perhaps you need to rethink why we vote. I understand how living in a small state in the west can make it seem that we don't matter. But that is not why I vote. I vote because it is my duty and my privilege and no one can can disenfranchise me unless I allow it.

    I don't mean to be harsh. Just be encouraged that your vote does count, if for no other reason than your own recognition of your right and responsibility in the democratic process.

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  3. Amen. I too will be glad when it's over.

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  5. They only said we are a blue state is because we haven't gone red since like 1988...

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