And the Next President Is…

Actually, we don’t know yet. It may take a while to determine the winner.

As the votes continue to roll in, here are some point-of-view (lower case) overtones to consider:

If Bush Wins…

He’ll be able to point back to the War on Terrorism as his “One Big Thing” that carried him through a tight race. It’s fascinating how disciplined Republicans are in staying on message—sometimes to the point of clouding facts with reality. But in a fast-moving, 24-hour news cycle, the strategy seems to work. If Bush secures a second term, his message discipline will have played a major role.

If Kerry Wins…

His ability to differentiate views and values on key issues will likely be the deciding factor. While he never locked in a defining message like Clinton’s “It’s the Economy, Stupid,” Kerry managed to appear authentic and distinct enough to push the race to the wire. If he loses, however, he may regret leaning too much on Vietnam nostalgia rather than driving home a “Vote for Change” message.

And If Neither Wins?

A tie? Or worse—a repeat of 2000, where one candidate wins the popular vote while the other claims the electoral victory? From a point-of-view perspective, it wouldn’t prove anything too substantial. And perhaps, that’s the biggest takeaway:

Maintaining a consistent point of view can only take a candidate so far. At some point, sheer will, luck, and outside influences take over.

Happy voting.