"Figures don't lie, but liars figure…." Goes the old proverb, doubtless invented by a person gifted in translating statistics. Every hour of every day during this election cycle, we are treated by the latest poll, with spin added depending upon one's inclination or prejudice. There are the expected surges following both conventions, with pluses and minuses broken down into the results from a specific demographic group. Or a subgroup such as maiden aunts who prefer Hillary, or some such. Accordingly, the media consultants and moguls bring us back to a time not too long ago, like the Nixon or Goldwater campaigns, or trot out a clip showing Dukakis riding on a tank. Some quirk or twist in the predictions show that the experts have not been studying enough on the entrails of a fowl, and so we'll be treated by an observation by Doris Kearns Goodwin or Michael Bechsloff who will point out a parallel from the Taylor or Buchanan campaign. Both candidates and their staffs call upon the blessing of Lincoln or mention of him while making their appointed rounds -- the Democrats will mention fondly the sayings of Jefferson or Kennedy -- their GOP opponents will hark back to the simpler and more powerful time when TR ruled his country from his "bully pulpit."

There are periods of ebb and flow should one candidate look worn or hassled from the day's rendition of the standard stump speech. His points will go down, or another's will flow in spurts and surges when they show off the lady campaigner from Alaska. Some news hound will hunt for lies or exaggerations the other side might have committed, and this will knock off a few points showing a swing of a plus-minus 3 or 4. Much like TPR taken on human patients. Sometimes the "negative" ads so blatantly blacken the character or the intention of the opponent that they have become disgraceful or just plain rotten. To wit: the recent fracas over Obama's use of the saying "lipstick on a pig" being taken up as directed at Governor Palin. What utter nonsense from the staffs of two people who hope to be our president -- it seems by fair means of foul. McCain's adman recently advised that Senator Obama had tried to pass a bill involving sex education of kindergartners. Such "rovian" tactics (after Karl Rove, negative manipulator who inhabits the nadir of dirty pool) have cost elections as recently as 2004.

So we are experiencing a historic election some scant few weeks down the road. It's getting to be a slug fest, close as fighting brothers. The polls are important, but more important are the voting booths -- we must all make a point to be there November 4.