If you go to my Facebook profile and look at political views, it may confuse you.

It says, “I am a VERY conservative Democrat with liberal Republican leanings…”

What does that mean exactly?

It means, for one, that I don’t really identify with either party. I have voted in presidential elections since 1988 and have cast ballots for both Democrats and Republicans. I’ve voted for Libertarians as well in offices as high as Lieutenant Governor.

It has always been my policy to take a look at all the facts and then make the most educated decision I can when casting a vote.

I’m not a huge fan of President Barack Obama. I’m not a huge detractor either. He’s sort of Woodrow Wilson to me, someone who doesn’t elicit much emotion one way or the other.

I didn’t vote for Obama because I thought he lacked any substantive experience to lead the nation. That certainly could work in his favor when earning my vote in 2012 because what better experience is there than actually doing a job.

Having said that, I’m not pleased with a lot of the president’s policy and I often find myself at odds with his party, of which I’m technically a member. That makes next year’s election a tossup for me.

I would say I am among a majority of Americans who will not decide until the Republican nomination process is completed who I will vote for come November of 2012.

And since I believe that’s true, I think it is incumbent upon Republicans to make a wise choice. There can be no more missteps among a party that is known for them. If a candidate fully endorsed by the Tea Party becomes the Republican nominee, Obama can sleep at night. He’ll have nothing to worry about.

Most of this nation is tired of extremism. We’re tired of it both ways – whether it is conservative extremists or liberal ones. We are not a nation of extremes. We are a nation of people who have common sense and are rational.

Too far left or too far right simply doesn’t work.

Both parties are guilty of catering to the far extreme of their group rather than playing to the people who make up the majority. It is easy to get sidetracked by people screaming and forget that most of us aren’t. We’re quiet, we’re calculated and we’re watching every step each party makes.

The bottom line is, according to popularity polls, winning the White House is almost a lock for Republicans. While that may seem true here some 13 months before the election, I assure you they can blow it. I’d almost be willing to bet you they will.

Americans want a true choice. They won’t stand for Michelle Bachmann or any of those right-wingers that will simply take the country to the far end of a party they aren’t crazy about anyway.

If the Republican Party wants to win all of their members, take the majority of independent voters and even bring in a few of us moderates from the Democratic side, the next few months will be important.

The right nomination ensures victory. The wrong one ensures reelection.

Thadd White is a Staff Writer and Sports Editor for Roanoke-Chowan Publications. He can be reached via email at thadd.white@r-cnews.com or by telephone at 332-7211.