You Better be Paying Attention

Dear Non Involved Potential Voter;

I'm telling you that better become involved. You better start paying attention because the man or woman you will have the opportunity to elect president of the United States is being selected and according to the national pools, you are not paying attention.

• It's to early.
• My states primary is not until next spring.
• I've got lots of things to worry about until then.

In sense you are are correct. The early primaries, that are romanticized in our political ritual, are highly influential, but so are the national polls. When the governor from a Midwestern state suddenly rises above the pack in Iowa, it becomes national news. When it became obvious this was going to effect the front runners, the microscope focused on his record. Previously, no one cared much about his record on immigration and taxation, because he wasn't a threat.

The thing is that no one is going to tell Iowa or New Hampshire voters how to vote. It's true that their influence is beyond their political importance and numbers. However, if voters who are not involved in early primaries, work for and support the candidate of their choice, candidates will have the reason and resources of continue campaigning. Those of us who sit on the sidelines waiting patiently for our turn, will find that the person we want to lead us is already out of the race.