While most people's votes are as good as cast, endorsements still come out in favor of one candidate or the other. Be they prominent figures, other politicians or celebrities...they all like to give their public stamp of approval to a candidate with the thought that some people may be swayed or perhaps because they just like to be heard.

Well, hat tip to Tyler Cowen for sharing the content of email about a list of economists who signed a letter of endorsement for John McCain....the first of I've personally seen from economists. If such letters of endorsement haven't been dispersed for Obama or Hillary, I'm sure they soon will.

See link for list of economists who've signed the endorsement and reasons why. Cowen, for his part says he's not signing anything on economic grounds and I don't blame him.

But in explaining why, he gives what I think is the best advice one can give in light of the state of affairs and the candidates in question:

On explaining why no such worthless endorsement is forthcoming on his part, he takes off is economist hat and just speaks as a citizen and voter:

I would this year be even more suspicious than usual. I feel that the candidates are trying to trick me and the one who isn't -- Hillary Clinton, whose negatives are too transparent to my eyes -- has been trying to trick everyone else....but in the meantime my advice -- at least for this year -- is to vote on the basis of foreign policy.

I agree 110%. Not only is it an easier way of viewing matters right now but, considering the candidates' views on all matters at home and abroad and the machinations of the democratic/bicameral process in realizing those views, Foreign Policy is most likely to be the area where you'll most likely get what you for vote for.

And on that basis, I think one's choice becomes quite clear.