Don't Mean A Thing.

• Author: ROONEY, JAMES P.
• Position: 2000 presidential campaign strategies

Why your vote doesn't count unless you live in Kalamazoo or Morgantown

DURING THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL debate this year, moderator Jim Lehrer asked George W. Bush and Al Gore to contrast their approaches to preventing future oil crises. Gore, predictably and at length, proposed developing renewable energy sources and creating tax credits that would spur the development of fuel-efficient cars. But when it came time for Bush to respond, his answer was less predictable:

"I want to develop the coal resources in America," he said emphatically.

Coal? Solar, maybe. Natural gas, even methane gas, would seem more obvious responses to the question. But coal? Bush sounded like John Lewis rallying mine workers in the 1950s.

Of course, nothing in the canned televised debates could be that extemporaneous. No, Bush's solution to the nation's energy woes was a calculated response, targeted not at the 30 million or so Americans who may have been watching the debates, but the 951,000 registered voters in the heart of the nation's coal country: West Virginia.

It's hard to imagine that little old West Virginia could hold such sway in the presidential election. But if you think back to the debate, you probably won't recall either candidate stumping for, say, more earthquake-victim relief funds or subway-token subsidies for seniors--goodies that might appeal to the residents of more populous states like California or New York.

In fact, for the Republican candidate, West Virginia, with its five votes in the Electoral College, is one of a handful of battleground states where this year's election is likely to be decided. The other states up for grabs are Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky; Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin.

If you live in one of these states, the political parties care about your opinion and have worked hard for your vote. If your state is not on that list, the parties think your vote won't impact the election. And they are right.

If you don't believe that statement 1992, the Clinton campaign targeted 80 percent of its $37 million advertising budget to the states it had identified as battleground states. In this year's race, the two parties have run television ads exclusively in the states listed above.

Campaign appearances are just as targeted. Al Gore and Joe Lieberman kicked off the fall campaign with appearances in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, and Illinois over a 27-hour marthon. Bush responded with appearances in Illinois, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Since then...