Enthusiasm gap: In the end it still boils down to who gets out the vote

It happens every year. People talk, talk, talk about elections and how angry they are at the system -- and then they stay home on Election Day when their vote could really count and they could make a difference.

This year, that probably won't be an issue, since, for some reason, more Americans seem not only to be interested in who is running, but understand the power they wield when it comes to determining who will take a victory lap on Election Day.

But as the first day of early voting opens, and some people will make their way to the polls to make their choices, it is important to remember just how important and vital that vote is.

This year, many pollsters are talking about an "enthusiasm gap" -- which simply means that more Republicans are excited than Democrats about the upcoming election and more of them will head to the polls.

But this is an unusual election with much at stake, and more and more people interested in the outcome, so, for once, the enthusiasm gap might be replaced by the "anger factor." We will have to wait and see.

There are many people who are concerned about the direction their country is headed and who want to see a change one way or the other.

This is the first day of their chance to make those changes a reality. Let's hope they take it.

Published in Editorials on October 14, 2010 10:57 AM