How does the average American decide how to vote?

Let me first state some "givens" that I believe are true:

The average American

• is neither Democrat nor Republican
• votes with his gut more often than his intellect
• has a gut that identifies with personality more than issues
• has a gut that identifies with leadership & strength more than issues
• (decide for yourself whether leadership & strength are synonymous with personality)

Based on these "givens", should you choose to accept them, Hillary is out - the gut becomes nauseous trying to keep up with the swishing of issues.

Obama is out because he really shows no strength, although he can be inspiring. (Remember Jimmy Carter was inspiring before he was elected, no?)

Guiliani is a possibility - he showed strength and leadership immediately after 9/11.

McCain is a possibility - he didn't buckle under the duress of being a POW, and despite his temper, can be inspiring.

Lieberman - though not officially in the running (that I know of) can also win the "gut vote" on his stance on the war in Iraq, but he's somewhat lacking in the personality department.

Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich - sorry guys, but your anti-war status rules you out in both leadership and strength. How can you have either if you've ruled them both out to start with?

Fred Thompson - your TV character could win, I'm not sure you could. Ronald Reagan was a lousy actor, all he knew to play was himself. You're a better actor, but I'm not sure who YOU are.

John Edwards - there's a definite corrollary between acting and being a successful trial lawyer. Like Fred Thompson, I wonder who you really are, other than a good actor.