What do voters know?

Reader Mike McDonald shared some thoughts on the recent Paul Krugman idea that in 2016, philosophy will count more than presidential candidates. He says, in part:

“In reality, the upcoming presidential election will be like all other presidential elections; it will be dominated by low information voters. Those voters will not be swayed by a candidate’s philosophy because they won’t even know what it is. Neither will they base their decision on a candidate’s personal traits because they won’t know those either. These voters will not watch the debates; they won’t even watch the news. Many will vote Democrat or Republican because their parents and grandparents always voted that way. … In the imaginary world that Paul Krugman lives in, issues matter. In the real world of presidential elections, the hairstyle of a particular candidate can sway a vote as much, if not more so, than any issue.”