As the presidential election battle slowly winds toward the November ballot-casting, the question of what developments and events between now and then will have the greatest effect on the nation’s voters remains uncertain.
Since an age-old election adage is that Americans vote with their pocketbooks, it must be assumed that the state of the economy will be a big factor in how we Americans vote. But most certainly the status of the war in Iraq will also be a big-ticket item on the voters’ minds.
Ironically, the terrorists we are fighting against in Iraq may well decide how Americans vote on the war issue. Their behavior, not that of President Bush or John Kerry, may end up being the deciding factor in the election.
How is the war going? It’s truly hard to tell. But if the terrorists want to keep Bush from being re-elected, they may choose to increase the unrest and killings of Americans to provide proof that the war isn’t going well and, they hope, turn voters away from the current president.
On the other hand, if they would prefer that Bush remain the president, they may perceive that a relatively tranquil Iraq, and thus a successful American effort in the war, is the best message to send to American voters.
It is so ironic that the very people who mean us the most harm may well end up deciding how we vote in November.
RICHARD W. SWANSON
Marysville
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
