[foal]

Most people don't vote on personalities, they vote party line. That smaller margin of undecideds may take personality factors heavily into account and yes they decide the election so it may feel like an election is being decided on something stupid, but in reality most people (the "base" for each party) are voting based on their political ideals. That is, in the main election. The primaries are obviously a bit different and I think a lot of people vote based on perceived electability.

I think the TV media deserves a lot of blame for the 'stupidity' of undecided voters. All they cover is strategy, polls and unsubstantial rhetoric. Voting records and stances on issues? Barely ever. And the 'debates' are quite poorly designed as well. What are people supposed to vote on if they don't have the time or skills to do their own research?