While I'm Thinking About It

And while I've got you here, make sure you've read and understand the instructions.

All right, folks. If you're in the United States, then it's Election Day. This is it.

Once you're in that booth, it's just you and the ballot. No New York Times, no MSNBC. No Sean Hannity, no Fox News. No fairly obscure webcartoonist for that matter, either. Nobody's telling you how to vote, not anymore.

But I want you to do something for me.

Ignore the hype.

Forget the campaign promises. Half of them will be forgotten; the other half will bring unintended consequences.

The presidency is bigger than any sort of historical significance. Gender and skin color are both irrelevant here. Whoever gets elected is going to have to balance what needs to be done with what he wants to do and what Congress will allow him to get away with, all while making sure none of it conflicts with his oath to protect and defend the Constitution.

Take a moment before you do anything. Think about it, ponder the options. Then, when you cast your vote, make sure it's with confidence and a clean conscience.

And I pray you're right.