There’s still time

The Republican convention is over, and the Democratic convention will end today.

The two conventions were very different in tone and message.

They have one thing in common, however: Neither party is totally unified behind its candidate for president.

Major Republican leaders were absent from Donald Trump’s coronation. Many party leaders and past standard bearers did not attend. Some who did grudgingly gave their endorsements after withholding them for some time.

As for the Democrats, the unsuccessful campaign of Bernie Sanders has left many dissatisfied. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders fought tooth and nail for their party’s nomination. Sanders supporters, unhappy with Clinton and the apparent attempted Democratic National Committee sabotage of his campaign, have not been gracious in joining party ranks behind Clinton. Some say they never will.

So, the election is shaping up to be between two of the least popular candidates in recent history. These two have not even been able to generate enough partisan loyalty to bring their own parties together.

It is in this atmosphere that the American people must make their choice.

Of course, each candidate has loyal party supporters.

Yet, it is all the others who may decide the election.

Swing voters will have an impact. The most powerful political block, however, may be those who do not vote at all or those who cast protest votes for a third party.

This means those who do vote for one of the two major party candidates may have greater influence than they normally would have.

This is too important of an election to sit on the sidelines–too much is at stake and the choices are starkly different. There is still time for the disenchanted and the undecided to come to terms with their doubts and cast thoughtful votes.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher