Election

Growing up in Ohio the constant thought is to get out. High school students look to colleges, even one of the many in state, as a way to get out of the state. There's even a joke about the number of presidents and astronauts from Ohio who have all left in some way. As a kid I always looked to the east for possible school choices and eventual careers. I went to college ten minutes from my home only because they gave me the most money to attend. In the end it is that degree which is my ticket out, which I haven't used yet. But this isn't about my failing to do what every great Ohioan has done before me and leave the state but about the number of people who come here every four years.

Ohio is a swing state. With 18 electoral votes and a state which can be described as purple due to the almost evenly split number of republicans and democrats. Add to it the number of colleges in the state the potential for educated individuals increases. As a state, Ohio has the perfect mix of individuals to be the best swing state it can be. Every four years presidential candidates flock to the state and campaign in almost every town and village trying to make the purple more red or more blue. It is said that a presidential candidate cannot win the election without Ohio. For how much the citizens of the state want out, politicians want in.

In this election year, I have finally understood this political draw. This election is one of the most polarizing in years for this state. My hometown of Delaware has become a battle ground. The town is home to Ohio Wesleyan University, a top liberal arts college in Ohio. Many of the alumni have returned to town to raise their children. In addition to the college there is a thriving local community of people who have called Delaware home for generations. The two groups are split in the way they will be voting in a couple days. Never have I seen the town so split.

A few weeks ago Governor Romney was in town at a somewhat famous restaurant talking to the locals. Having grown up in this town I can say Mr. Romney in essence was just preaching to the choir that day. Almost every person who attended that speech were already voting republican. They always vote republican. The buzz around town in the days before his visit wasn't about the excitement of a candidate coming to town. It isn't anything new; President Hayes grew up here. Instead everyone was grumbling about traffic.

A week later, First Lady Michelle Obama was in town speaking at OWU. The town came together and was excited to hear her speak, regardless of party affiliation. Because she was on campus, traffic wasn't a worry for most.  The First Lady drew a mix of voters, a classic Ohio purple. But I have always said she is just a great representative of what humanity should be. I want her to be our spokes person when the aliens come to visit.

Over the last week, both candidates and their campaign's have been criss-crossing this state and the polls fluctuate hourly as Ohioans weigh in on who they are voting for. But it never really changes from pure purple. Tuesday will be the day Ohio picks a color--red or blue? And it won't be a landslide. Welcome to Ohio, the divided, can't make up its mind state. Even our weather is crazy.