The Undecided

At this particular moment in time and place the candidates of the two major parties are Joe Biden and Donald Trump - a rematch that is universally despised.  Thinking about this recently i wondered if there is anybody left that hasn't already made-up their mind.  As divided along partisan lines as this nation has become are there any undecided voters left standing?  And if so, where might we find them?

Citizen Trump is staring-down something on the order of 90 felony counts in four criminal cases.  A trial begins at the end of this month - March 25.  Never in our nation's history has a former president faced even one criminal indictment.  While unlikely to impact diehard MAGA support; might a felony conviction result in the loss of some otherwise reliable GOP votes? 

There's also that thing called the Big Fat Middle; non-affiliated, independent, traditional conservative and right-leaning independent voters.  This group is growing by the day.  How big will it be come November?

And don't forget the disaffected outcasts wandering in the wilderness.  MAGA world will tell you they are not REAL Americans.  They are RINOs.  They may be marginalized pariahs, but they haven't allowed their political allegiances to take-on a messianic identity.  Their playbook doesn't include sowing divisions among family or breaking friendships.  If they hold spiritual beliefs, they are just that; they don't worship mortals.  Might they decide a close election?

Finally, there is that population that dislikes both major-party candidates. They are the Double Haters.  As a consequence of Clinton fatigue they leaned towards Trump in 2016.  Fatigued by four years of Trump drama, they leaned towards Biden in 2020.  Ask yourself, has the drama stopped?  Or has it grown over the past four years?  In 2024 who are the haters going to hold their nose and vote for?

What if one or both of the presumptive candidates withdraw?  Which may be a reason for Nikki Haley hanging-in the GOP primary when she hasn't otherwise got a clear path to a nomination.  Perhaps she thinks something untoward might happen to Trump?  Or maybe she just wants to say I told you so if Trump loses to a Democrat.  It's a long road to election day...