By the time this column appears in print the primary runoff elections will be decided by Fort Bend County voters. And, to be honest, I’m glad because I am really ready for a break.

When the 2008 election year began it was exciting to say the least. There were good candidates, bad candidates, comical candidates, honorable candidates and less than truthful candidates. As the year continues, I find that instead of welcoming every tidbit of news about each candidate—from presidential on down to local—I am tuning out more and more.

I talked to some local citizens and elected officials and most of them admit to feeling the same way—burned out.

Some say it is because the media is showing such a strong preference to certain candidates on a national level. Now, I hesitate criticizing “the media” because I “am one.” But it has become pretty darn clear that when one of the top presidential candidates has an issue, a blooper or a down and dirty “no-no”, the media hones in like a pack of hungry wolves and won’t let go until their sharp fangs have left HER bleeding with gaping wounds. While, on the other hand, when the “other” top candidate has a snafu, the media types all give it some air-time, add a lot of supporting comments and inflict a band aid size wound that heals in 24 hours.

I can’t help but wonder if the hype being spoon fed the general public about the candidates is similarly unfair and biased. I have a sneaking suspicion it is and so do a lot of other people.

And, the candidates themselves are creating an “I wish it was over” attitude from the voters. Locally, take District 22 congressional candidate Shelly Sekula Gibbs and her opponent Pete Olson. Several local officials, who are not revealing their name on the record, said they could not believe Gibbs garnered enough votes to get in the runoff. Gibbs complaining now that Olson is an “outsider” because he joined the military when he reached adulthood and left his District is ridiculous but some voters seem to rally to such nonsense. Gibbs would like for people to believe that because she has been in the district forever it makes her a better candidate. I think it is obvious this isn’t the truth but you just never know when it comes to how people will react to political propaganda.

In addition, some of the ads and fliers circulating on these candidates and others is bordering on juvenile. This makes me wonder if people who run for office believe the average voter has a brain corresponding in size to an ant. In other words, it is offensive to receive such garbage and be expected to believe it. A lot of people are taking such offensive gibberish personal and instead of watching the evening news or reading stories in the local paper are choosing to go fishing.

When the primary run offs are over, all we have to do is tolerate the issues or non-issues put before us until November.