I don't have the answers yet, but I have learned enough to be dangerous, and ask better questions..

So, I am sick of these polls that indicate the Supreme Court will be picking the next prez. Therefore, I decided, in the spirit of partisanship, to ask some aquaintances and friends across the country what they thought of the debates, and who they were going to fight for. Now, I picked folks from TX, WA, NY, NJ, AZ, NV, and CA thinking I might get a good representation here.

These are the results:
TX:
Polled: 9
Answering: 7
For Bush: 4 (57%)
For Kerry (or against Bush, since that's the way this fell out): 3 (43%)
So, Bush takes Texas, barely.
Comments:
"I am picking Bush because the idea of Edwards as president frightens me."
"Even though Kerry really impressed me during the debates, I just want to see what Bush will do with 4 more years, if the economy was really his problem."
"Kerry is a liberal, lying dog, and only served 4 months in the military, while my son did a whole tour of duty in Iraq."
 "When the stock market caved in and seven million American evaporated,
all Mr. Bush had to say about things in general is, 'Saddam Hussen tried to
kill my Daddy." Finally, my favorite all-time quote from Mr. Bush, our President, Yale
Graduate, Commander In Chief of the United States and the most powerful man
in the world:
 "I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully."-Saginaw, Mich.,
Sept. 29, 2000"

From NJ:
Polled: 1
No answer, so I prodded:
Still no answer, but gave me a comment:
Comment: I just got a new boyfriend, and things are kind of hot up here....

From CA:
Polled: 15
Responding: 6 (come on CA! Where the f$%*% are you???)
For Kerry: all 6  (Well, at least if they vote, they are voting in the right direction)
Comments:
"for the first time in my life I am actually interested in politics as well as appalled"
"I am a swing voter, and I am voting for Kerry. Normally, I might vote for the current president to allow him to finish the job, but I am increasingly concerned by the feelings
of arrogance, fear and intolerance that I sense in Bush's policies."

From NV:
polled: 1 (Hell, I don't know anybody in NV, really)
Responding: 1
For Kerry: 1
Comment: it would be nothing less that horrific to allow Bush in for another
term. Workers, artists, laborers of ALL kinds, children, parents,
intelligence, creativity, thoughtfulness, caring, deep and fierce love,
Beauty and Truth, vitality, spirit, soul and wonderfully messy
sensuality--all these deliciously humane qualities of Being can be kissed
down the swirling drain( going to the right) if Bush takes office.

From WA:
Polled: 2
1 response, pro Kerry.
Note; This is probably why WA is a swing state

From AZ:
Polled: 1
For Kerry: 1
(COME ON AZ!)
Comments: "Are you kidding??"

And there was one weenie from NY who liked Bush, supported the war in Iraq, and now likes Kerry. His comment, from the Anarchist handbook, was that it doesn't matter who you vote for, the government always gets in.

But then I remembered that this is my English half-brother, who after 15 years residence in the US has yet to apply for citizenship, so he doesn't count anyway.

Margin of error on this poll: Probably a wee bit larger than that of "smart bombs" but hey, at least we know what people are REALLY thinking out there.