Most American voters, unfortunately, are not like the circle you travel with. They are not digging deep but feeding on the headlines without reading deep into the articles.

Lots and lots of the statements will stay with the candidate even though it may not true. Some is due to the stupidity of the candidate - such as the rock with the N-word on Perry's hunting lodge. Why couldn't that have just been buried or broken up years ago instead of just turned over? Even though Perry had nothing to do with it, that stain will stay with him.

It is a mistake to mention race in a campaign because some will take it as a slur no matter what was said. It is a lose-lose situation.

Same thing goes for gay and lesbian issues. No matter what is said, someone will take offense to it.