Those who want to understand our elections need to realize that while some voters vote on the issues, the deciding swing voters in close elections always go for what politicos call "the leadership thing" and what the masses would more easily understand as "the cool thing."
And, again, this isn't immature or shallow.
It's about a profound, gut-level trust in the potential of great leadership, combined with a deep mistrust of political parties and politicians of every stripe.
Indeed, if you don't trust what any politicians say, their rhetoric on the issues falls on deaf ears and you have to find some other way to decide who to vote for.
And, frankly, their potential for leadership is an excellent criterion.
I personally tend to be an issues voter, and I think the future of the economy makes the next election a vital concern for all Americans.
But I'm in the minority on this, as are all issues voters.
This election, like most others for the past thirty years, is going to be determined on the basis of how the top candidates project their non-political leadership ability.
I've said elsewhere that the most important races of 2012 are the U.S. House and Senatorial elections, and I still hold this view.
The presidential election and a lot of local elections are also important, and all of us can do more to make our influence felt.
On a practical note: If your candidate isn't very "cool," if he or she is depending only on the issues to win the election, do your best to help promote their case on the basis ofleadership!
The outcome and impact of the upcoming elections depend on it.
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