Velocity And The Voting Booth

On the eve of an important presidential election, it occurred to me that velocity principles are relevant for my voting decision.

I could approach my vote for president the way a “traditional” used vehicle manager acquires a used car. I could make my decision based on emotion and instinct—Do I like the guy? Does he “stand tall”? Will he do OK leading the country for the next four years? This would be the ballot box version of the “golden gut” that often guides used vehicle managers as they acquire cars for their dealerships.

Or I could apply a velocity-like mindset to my voting decision: What evidence suggests one candidate will perform better than the other as president? What specific opportunities and risks does each candidate pose for me (and the country at large)? If I go with Candidate A versus Candidate B, what’s my exit strategy if the choice doesn’t play out the way I expected?

The last question is, of course, the most vexing as a velocity-style voter. If a candidate doesn’t live up to my expectations, I must wait for the next election cycle. With a poorly performing used vehicle, however, I can simply pull the plug, research the market and find another car that will do a better job.