My View: Final Campaign Thoughts

By News Director Bob Longo

POSTED: 4:22 pm EDT October 29, 2004
UPDATED: 6:49 pm EDT October 29, 2004

I am tired of all the politicking. Dead tired. In need of a nap.

I'm not saying it isn't the most important thing going right now and deserving of our attention every waking moment, but that kind of focus requires discipline and energy. Heck, I'm capable. I've pulled plenty of all-nighters and played poker into the wee hours lots of times. But paying attention to politics has forced me to grow weary. I'm almost ready to cry "uncle!" And I'm tired. T-I-R-E-D.

Which makes me wonder: How on earth are the candidates holding up? Specifically, President Bush and Senator Kerry.

I was just "leaked" the president's travel itinerary for the day before the election. It reads like a Grateful Dead multi-state road tour, and he's cramming it into one day.

In one day, Monday, the president will be Ohio, Pennsylvania, two separate stops in Iowa, New Mexico and Texas. I'm sure the Kerry parade will be just as prolific, and the same for Cheney and Edwards.

Oh sure, they're probably catching cat naps here and there, but these guys have to be dead tired. The makeup and energy drink bills must be staggering.

And just who is running the country? Just a thought. Not a political statement. I'll wonder the same thing in four years.

Oh, and another thing I'm tired of? Agendas.

Everyone is pushing an agenda these days. Trust no one. Anyone who tells you or the media that they want to help or are able to offer unbiased input almost surely is working for a cause and has an agenda to push. Trust me on that.

We took a call yesterday offering someone to talk to us Election Day morning to help voters get the message that they need to get out and actually vote. Who was offered? Chris Heinz. I'm sure he would have been unbiased.

Sure.

So, what is a voter to do? Well, for starters, pay attention to what the candidates are saying and doing. Heck, they're so tired, they may say something really interesting.

Second, look up their records and learn where they stand on the issues you deem important. The information is out there. A lot is right here on thepittsburghchannel.com. Knowledge is power.

And finally, vote. Get in there and pull that lever, touch that screen and punch that chad. Then sit back and watch the "experts" interpret it all Tuesday night. Now THAT is going to be interesting.

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