There are no doubt a great number of opinions out there about the current Presidential race, and more specifically the race for the GOP nomination.  Every political junkie, news addict, pundit, and pontificator is out there telling the rest of America what is going to happen.  In 2008 a local political group here in my hometown needed a speaker for their annual event and paid a well-known political pundit and major network contributor good money to jet in here and tell us his thoughts on the '08 Presidential race.  After bragging about his qualifications, he went on to tell the humbled ticket-holding masses that this was a "Hillary vs. Rudy race--period--end of story."  I had the unfortunate opportunity of meeting said speaker afterward, and politely told him I disagreed with him on both nominees; however, I might give him Hillary!  He snapped, "Well, you're wrong! It's already a done deal!"  I then told him that the only thing I could take away for certain from his speech was that he had been watching the news; furthermore, he had been paid WAY too much to speak here tonight.  But that is the way with political punditry.  They make a living repeating what they've heard on television.  Only in America!

Let's fast forward four years.  The 2012 race is well underway, and I can remember--just a few months ago, it seems--I received an invitation to an event for the "Next President of the United States," Governor Tim Pawlenty.  I surely hate that I missed that.  For someone who wrote a book entitled "Courage to Stand," why was he the first one to take a seat?  Someone who dropped out that soon should have never been in the race to begin with.  As for the other many candidates, there are likes and strengths to each one.  And yes, there are weaknesses and flaws in each of them, too.  That's just life.  Additionally, we should never be looking for a "perfect" candidate, because such person does not exist.  I think President Reagan's 80/20 rule would apply here, and that's about as close as you'll get. 

Sadly there are so many voices entering the political discussion for no other reason than to be negative and to muddy the water for those they are against.  I can remember a time when it was enough just to be "for" someone.  Those days are gone.  What we are forever left with is a "lesser of two evils" campaigning that really does not serve the American public well.

So what about those pundits?  You can get the same information watching the news.  Have they got it all figured out?  To hear them tell it, they do.  If you could find a pundit in a deck of cards, he would be the Joker.  Paid fools regurgitating the news for those who care to listen.  Paid, you say?  Yes!  Is it any surprise that so many of these media pundits have a revolving door in and out of various administrations and campaigns?  Careers are built on access.  You gain access by building up your candidate and helping them get elected and calling in those chips.  They definitely have an agenda.  So the next time you hear someone going on about how they have it all figured out, and that you need to vote for their candidate, ask yourself, "just how close to this campaign are they?"  Is this election a done deal?  I really don't think so.  A week is a long time in politics, and a month is an eternity!  Do your homework.  Find out about each of these candidates and make your own decision.  You might be surprised at the outcome.  Even better, you could be part of something big.  It's your ballot, it's your choice, for the "ballot is mightier than the opinion."