There's a good chance you already know who you will be supporting for President in 2012. In fact, if you read this blog, or any other regular daily news, you almost certainly know who you are going to vote for and probably have for some time. That's not to say you aren't discerning or treat your vote like a 12-month homework project, it just means that you've recognized the stark policy differences between the candidates and would have a very hard time "un-seeing" them.
Check out this Op/Ed by Paul Farhi, which profiles political science professor Alan Abramowitz, who will predict the outcome of the election in about three weeks. Well, la dee da, people have been predicting this election for six months. But the thing about Abramowitz is that since 1992, he has come within 2 percentage points of predicting the winner's share of the vote.
Notably, that will be about three months before the fingers hit the Diebold machines, probably a few weeks before Romney picks his Robin, two months before the first Presidential debate, and long before the vast majority of the millions of campaign dollars will be spent.
You can spend all day looking at the electoral map and trying to see where the vote would go if it was held today, but the bottom line is that things probably won't change too much. There is no gaff too big or fund-raising total that is too small. Let's get it over with already.
As obvious as this may seem, it is very hard to grasp in the age of a 24-hour news cycle. Sure, Maryland was locked up for 2012 before Barack Obama was elected to the Illinois State Senate, but the uncertainty in swing states makes this election very difficult to predict, particularly as the front-runner (BO) continues to hit economic numbers that do no make for a good re-election bid.
Either way, there will be plenty of talk between now and then, including posts upon Presidential posts from this writer. Very little of it will matter.
LINKS
Please consider registering yourself and your child for "A Ray of Hope" with Ray Rice this Friday, July 13 at Merriweather Post Pavillion. We need to continue the conversation about bullying in our schools and Ray is providing a tremendous public service by offering his name and notoriety to the cause. Forget all the "bully-side" conversation. Just tell your kids that if they bully someone else, Ray Rice will not score touchdowns.
Amongst the quotes from School Board member Allen Dyer in this article about his testimony before the administrative law judge, you almost kinda sorta get the idea that he realized the threat of litigation is no way to negotiate solutions for our school-children. Ok, so probably not, but that would be a nice way to wrap this thing up, wouldn't it? Very "Inherit the Wind"-esque.
Tube N Taxi is illegally running a business out of a State park at a pace of about 800 people per weekend, yet the fines may be incorporated as the "cost of doing business". Looks like DNR will have to think of a fine large enough to deter future activity...sure to be called a tax later down the line.
High temperatures yesterday caused Route 50 to buckle. Whoa.
Featured Blog Post of the Day: HowChow looks into the Wegman's deli and notes that there are prepackaged charcuterie platters for your next wine tasting. Jane and I went on our first venture to the new Wegman's yesterday. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but it felt too much like the New York Stock Exchange to me. I fully acknowledge that Sunday afternoon is not a good time to go to our new Super-Duper-Market, but I left there in need of a nap. Jane loved it and we picked up some free stuff. I have a feeling I will be back...against my will.
That's all for today. Have a wonderful Monday doing what you love. I've never been so happy to see rain in my life.
