To the Editor:

The news of the most recent presidential poling is appalling. The dramatic swing from one side to another as a result of a so-called debate is what is disturbing, not necessarily which way the swing goes.

That the American voting public would radically change their collective view as for whom they would cast their vote, based on presentation rather than substance, is fundamentally disturbing.

We all know that presidential debaters spin the facts to their advantage. We expect that. It is the duty of everyone who votes to check the statements of both candidates and thus determine if those statements are true or even close to the truth.

Clearly, this was not done by those who changed their voting preference.

Granted, Governor Romney came off as self-assured and President Obama came off as aloof and somewhat disengaged. Should the fate of women’s rights, Medicare, Social Security and myriad other things be determined by such frivolous things as a scripted performance? Is the voting public not intelligent enough to realize they are watching theater? Do we elect the most powerful person in the world on such superficial thinking, or lack of review?

Along with participatory democracy comes a responsibility to delve into the statements of the candidates. A voter who is swayed by stage presence is an ignorant and dangerous person.

Bart Chapin
Arrowsic