... >> Unless you live on one of the swing states, it really doesn't matter
>> who you vote for as the electorial votes are the ones that are important.

And, IMO, one of the major failings of our political system. I believe we should change the Electoral College process to distribute votes proportionately to the popular vote. Or just do away with it completely and base the results directly on the popular vote.

It is also unfortunate that our political system has degenerated into an entrenched two party system with no incentive for either to really do what's best for the country (as opposed to what's best for their friends and their reelection efforts).

As for voting, I haven't missed voting in a general election since I became old enough to do so. Still, I have voted for only two major party presidential candidates (both democrats), have voted twice for the libertarian candidate (Harry Browne) and have otherwise voted for write-in candidates (three times for republicans and twice for democrats).

I will almost certainly write in again this year. Of the national political figures I most admire, four are republicans (John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell and Arnold Schwarzenegger) and one is a democrat (Wes Clark). I also like San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, but would not yet characterize him as a national politician. Despite the varying politics of those six individuals, they share a characteristic which I consider the single most important in a national leader.

----- jim o\-S