Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying

The National Review’s Rich Lowry writes:

I’m sure I’m not the only male in America who, when Palin dropped her first wink, sat up a little straighter on the couch and said, "Hey, I think she just winked at me." And her smile. By the end, when she clearly knew she was doing well, it was so sparkling it was almost mesmerizing. It sent little starbursts through the screen and ricocheting around the living rooms of America.

To all my Virginia readers (you know who you are!), if you are not yet registered to vote, you need to mail your voter registration form by the end of next Monday, October 6th. If you plan to mail your form, it must be postmarked by October 6th. You can also go in person to your local voter registration office and submit your registration form. If you do not register in time, you will not be able to cast your vote on November 4th.

To fill out and print the voter registration form, you can go to Vote For Change or to the Virginia State Board of Elections website. If you plan to submit your form in person, you can locate your local voter registration office here. Registering to vote is quick and easy and only takes a few minutes.

For the first time since 1964, the Democratic presidential candidate has a real chance to win Virginia’s 13 electoral votes. A Virginian’s vote has never been so important. It is very likely that Virginia voters will determine the next president of the United States.

In 2006, Jim Webb won the Senate seat from Virginia by a mere 9329 votes. That was a sliver of a margin – 0.39% – out of nearly 2.5 million votes cast. He won by a huge voter turnout in Northern Virginia, by tipping Loudoun County blue, and by running up votes in the Tidewater region. Every vote mattered.

Every vote will matter November 4th.

Barack Obama currently holds a small lead in the composite poll results in Virginia over John McCain. However, the latest poll – the respected Mason-Dixon poll – shows McCain leading Obama 48% to 45%. The race is still neck and neck. The election will certainly be decided on the margins by which candidate can get his voters to the polls. But to get to the polls, you have to be registered to vote.

 I am told that even Homer Simpson is registered to vote this year:

CBS News poll of uncommitted voters who watched the debate:

Who won the debate? Biden 46%, Palin 21%

CNN/Opinion Research poll of debate watchers:

Who did the best job in the debate? Biden 51%, Palin 36%