Most accounts I read today show Wisconsin as one of the undecided and pivotal states so far as the November presidential election is concerned. Supposedly we are part of the undecided group of states that includes Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, etc. that stretch across the upper middle west (or rust belt, as some are prone to calling us).
What does that mean for us and what will it do to us?
First, it means that television and radio stations will sell a lot of time and newspapers will get a bit healthier by selling a ton of space. That means that we will be unable to avoid politics unless we join a badger and crawl into a hole in the ground. And that isn't a sure thing either!
Second, it means that people will probably see the ugly, despicable 'cheese head' image, will probably be reminded of Laverne and Shirley, and will probably see the Fonz! We will have a whole new opportunity to live all those things down as we interact with people outside this vaunted 'fly over' country.
Third, it means that turn-out will most likely be monstrous. That means that, without voter photo ID, we'll have more than our usual share of voter fraud. That means that, if Obama manages to hold off Hillary as it seems he will, we will see a very large number of younger citizens at the polling places. They could make the difference in the presidential race. They'll be choosing between the elder icon who represents some distant event in American history that has been vilified in every school tome they've read and virtually every discussion they've endured inside the hallowed halls of academia, and the charismatic, very well spoken communicator. Hope will be their driving force while experience may not be a consideration or might be thought to be a detriment.
That also means that we'll be inundated by 'outsiders' who will descend upon us like locusts trying to cause us to vote one way or another. It means that we'll see the race issue whether or not there is a race issue. The issue/non-issue will be debated ad nauseum, and it will be almost impossible to ignore, ugly as it is.
And it could well sway the outcomes of other races. If the race for our state senate seat is at all close, the expected massive turn-out could swing that one way or the other. If Obama pulls the anticipated numbers of younger voters, does that auger better for Senator Darling or for Rep. Wasserman? I have no idea, but I do suspect there will be some impact.
So, back to the original question...Are We Ready For November?
