Hello Everyone,

Well well, today is the day!  I can't believe it is actually here, Election Day '08!  Has everyone voted yet?  If not, please make sure to make this a priority today.  I know retailers are very busy, especially during the Holiday season, but taking the time to vote this year can make the difference for you and your store's future.

I don't usually like to talk about politics, even with friends and family, but I do feel the need to exercise this wonderful tool that is the internet to encourage people to get out and vote!  Whatever way you choose, just exercise your right to choose.

I especially have not enjoyed this election due to the length of time this has run on.  I feel like the last two years have been consumed with this election, every news channel, every day on the internet, every car bumper, it's everywhere!  I for one am glad today has arrived, if not just to eliminate some of the noise that has been created from this election race.

We polled our users here at the GHC a few months back, (way back in the primary's if we can even remember that far), on which presidential candidate retailers thought would help the independent retailer most.  The answer leaned in McCain's favor, 45% believing that he would be the best candidate; 23% thought Obama would help the independent retailer more. 

We also ran a more recent poll about one month ago which asked our retailers, "With the election nearing, what party do you feel has Small Business' best interest in mind?" and by this time the view was about 50/50 split on republican/democrat.

Whatever the polls tell us on this site, on the Nightly News with Charles Gibson, etc they are just that, polls!  And this is what I want to focus on here for retailers.  This is what we can learn from this election - The fact that despite the recent poll of this handful or that handful of registered voters, or customers, or Women Shoppers, or Economists, it's just a poll.  The facts are there for the analyzing and its all in how you view it. So don't let the latest "economic slump" report throw you and your store for a down in the dumps day. 

Our two presidential candidates have fought long and hard for this election despite all the news, reports, polls, and trash talking, they have persevered.  And they have learned, and changed along the way to accommodate the current state.  Business Owners are doing the same from day to day depending which way the stock market goes, or what their customers are saying or buying.  Even though times are tough right now, neither candidate is backing down and calling it a day.  So remember, everyone has the latest and greatest polls that they believe, it's believing in yourself and what you can bring to the table that will help you succeed.  Believe in the poll in your head and your heart.  And then, make things happen!

Until next time...

Happy Blogging and Voting,

Jessica