With only 10 days to go before what feels like the most important Presidential Election in history, there are still many voters who are undecided.
That seems impossible to me. I'm very partisan: I've known for a long time who I favor. In fact, I've already voted.
It seems inconceivable that folks would still not know who they are voting for. What are they waiting for? What possible new information could be coming? Haven't both candidates been chanting the same basic messages ever since their conventions?
But I've Met Undecided Voters
When I spent a Sunday afternoon knocking on doors for my candidate, I met several undecided voters.
One woman, standing in her front lawn on the most pleasant of fall days, said, "We don't know yet." She pointed to her side yard and added, "You see, we still haven't put our yard sign up."
I looked to the side yard. There, leaning on a fence, was a yard sign for one of the two major party candidates. It was leaning against the fence, and visible from the street.
"I'll mark you down as leaning for [candidate's name]," I said, "because, well, your sign is indeed leaning."
We laughed about it. (It was a little awkward because her sign represented the other candidate, not mine.)
It's Good To Laugh
I think it's really important that we keep our communal sense of humor. Yes, this election is important. You might have a tremendously important, hot-button issue. You don't think there's anything funny about this election.
You're right.
But, please, let's remain able to talk to one another without steam piping out our ears.
She Was Telling The Truth
At first, I thought this Undecided Voter was kidding me. She saw the campaign button on my lapel, so she knew for whom I was knocking.
And, I thought at the time, she was just being polite and neighborly.
But her house is on the way from my house to the library. So I pass her house at least once a week.
And, funny thing: she's moved the sign to the other side of the fence. Now it is inside her yard, and no longer visible from the street.
She's really undecided.
What's Better?
Would you rather be undecided or firmly decided?
What would you do if it came to the moment — as it surely will for many — making the decision in the voting booth on November 4th?
That sure seems like a tense moment. Both campaigns have certainly done their work — and spent a combined $1 billion — to let each of us know what they stand for.
We're All A Little Undecided
Of course, I admit, I don't know either candidate well enough — not hardly — to know what he would do if faced with yet unforeseen challenges. Or even the challenges we have in front of us.
Being elected President is like having a baby. (Two experiences of which I know nothing first-hand.)
Parenthood is a concept until you are holding the newborn. Then, everything is different.
I presume that finding yourself President on January 20, 2009, could be the same.
And, whichever candidate wins, we're all going to be surprised by his first actions.
For Greater Understanding About Undecideds
Please enjoy "Undecided" in the current edition of The New Yorker by vulgar, intelligent humorist David Sedaris.