Election Day already?

Election Day isn’t until November 4, but in parts of the country, the first absentee ballots have already arrived … and candidates are worried.

Because there’s no compelling theme to this year’s election. Two thirds of American voters say the country is on the wrong track, but there are too many moving parts right now – including a war – and when voters are confused, they tend to stay home.

So the candidates are falling back on that old standby:

“Very concerned about the path that President Obama had our country on…”

They’re running ads against an unpopular president:

“With Obamacare, we’re losing our choice of doctors, a higher deductible, a higher premium.”

And its not just Republicans doing it.

“I know healthcare wasn’t done right. There’s a lot I’ll do to make it better for West Virginia.”

That was a Democrat.

It seems like a waste of a good election – running against a lame duck. It’s basically saying, vote for me and I’ll make the guy an even lamer duck.

But wait. There is actually someone running on a real issue:

“It’s time to clean house at the IRS – turn the tax code mess into a fair and simple system.”

Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s former running mate, promises to reform the tax code. Of course, that’s assuming he remains a free man.

“I’m Paul Ryan and I may get audited for approving this message, but it would be worth it.”

Now see, that’s the kind of thing that makes voting irresistible – a guy who says vote for me and it might get me audited.

And if even that doesn’t work, we’ll just have the poll workers fry bacon near an open window.