Having said that, I've read that undecideds are in fact less likely to vote at all. So that 6-7% of the public who haven't made up their minds yet, may never make up their minds. That would mean the 50/44 Obama/Romney poll numbers would convert to 53/47 on election day.

That anyone is genuinely undecided.The battle lines are well defined,and have been for months.Sensible people,surely have long ago made their choice,as will have the stupids.The teabaggers have been told what their decision is.The 1%s decision is evidenced by who they bought and paid for.

Republican strategy has been in this election and in 2004 to ignore the middle largely. Pay lip service to bipartisanship, while taking every opportunity to reassure your base you don't mean it. Discourage your opponents base as best you can (and also, if possible, take away their voting rights). Ignore the middle. Get your base all worked up so they vote and donate in droves.

Bryant

Can't find the link, but it appears the self-identified Independent wants to appear objective but almost always sticks to one party at the polling place.

I'm

* against the wars

* pro-choice

* want significant reform in education (willing to hear any ideas)

* think there is a "right" tax rate. Revenue doesn't always go up by raising or up by lowering the rate. We need serious discussions about our screwed up tax system, not simply "raise taxes" or "lower taxes"

* for gay marriage

* think small businesses have too much regulatory burden (I've started 3 and worked for 2 others)

* think we need a strong leader and not impressed with the way Obama has worked with congress (either the first 2 or last 2 years). Nothing will get done without the president and congress working together.

* for ending the war on drugs

* think we need health CARE reform but the ACA is likely to be a disaster when fully implemented.

* think we need to find a way to make 1+ million illegal immigrants into legal immigrants/residents without sending them back to their home country

So, I have to decide which of my issues I feel are most important. Then if I expect either main candidate to be better on those. And if not, pick a 3rd party who I can vote for to show my feelings to whoever wins. Even if I look at "direction" rather than "issues" I don't see a clear winner. Usually I would pick "direction" over any issues.

I know most people here don't have such a wide range of views that cross D/R lines. But, that's how someone can be informed but not see an obvious answer. I'm not trying to get a discussion on these issues, and don't need to hear how I'm not informed on many issues. I usually don't post my R-oriented views, but thought it may explain something about undecided voters in a helpful way.