I sincerely hope that my article has not lead people to think that I believe qualifications to be an insignificant aspect of politics. They most certainly do matter, and I do not advocate voting merely for a candidate’s charisma or stated ideals. That is the very definition of an uneducated voter. Yet on the other hand we must be wary of career politicians. It is a fine line we walk as voters.

In writing this story I was merely reporting what I saw from my position in the back of the room-namely that attendees were excited by speakers who were able to play to the audience. It is my hope that this excitement, that the speakers generated, will in turn energize voters to extensively research the candidates they feel most closely reflect their own values and beliefs, and then vote accordingly.