Like a horse with blinders on.

So… yeah… About yesterday.

Ever since I was in high school, I’ve taken the presidential debates kinda seriously.  The thing is that I absolutely hate campaign commercials.  First of all, it’s so obvious that the candidate being smeared has been taken out of context every time.  Second of all, any polls and stats that are cited are going to be cited without a broader understanding of what sort of factors might have affected those results.  I just don’t trust them one bit.

Nor do I watch the news.  Like… ever.  I used to.  When I did, I found my levels of anxiety before bedtime to be through the roof.  It’s hard to go to bed when you feel doomed.  In addition to this, I found that differing stations reminded me of the campaign ads and it was hard to tell who was “more truthful” than the other.

I guess I’m just gullible and naive.  With all my heart, I want to believe that people prioritize honesty the way that I do, so it’s incredibly difficult for me to know how and when to be skeptical.

So I’ve made it a habit to watch the presidential debates.

Do I expect each candidate to be as specific and transparent as I’d ideally like?  Will I even be able to carefully discuss in detail the points they laid out?  Not really.  But this is my one chance to see them interact face to face.  Do they hear each other?  Do they answer the questions or their own made up questions?  Do they show each other respect?  How vague are they being?  Do they wear too much makeup?  (No, seriously, this really threw me off with Al Gore in 2000.  All that blush!)  Who makes the most sense?  What do they say and confirm about themselves?  Do they even talk about themselves?  Or do they spend their time poking holes in the other candidate?

Eventually I’m going to forget every question that’s been asked and every answer that’s been given.  But the last thing I forget is which one made me feel the most reassured.

That’s how I’ve always voted for president.  It wasn’t until I was married that Brian really helped me to understand the difference between the republican party and the democratic party.  Neither preached a gospel that I could necessarily die for.  So, like a horse with blinders on, I simply try to keep an eye on the main men.  And knowing that actions speak louder than words, I do try and gauge whether I’m better off or worse off at the end of one’s presidency.

Looking forward to voting in November with Bennett strapped on my back!