Is It Over Yet?

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"I got chills in the second debate," said Matthew Coffey, 43, the only interviewee in three days who was wildly passionate about either candidate, and possibly the only person without malaria who got chills during any of the debates. Coffey, who owns an advertising company in Brandon, said Bush is going to shrink the government, whack taxes, let people invest their own Social Security funds, keep the U.S. out of foreign skirmishes and give parents school vouchers. "I listen to Rush Limbaugh all the time," Coffey said. "And Rush is right. Do you know what I mean? Rush is right."

No, Matthew. Don Fletcher is right. "Kakistocracy. Are you familiar with that word?" Fletcher asked while nursing his coffee at the Bill O' Fare. "It means government by the worst elements. We've got a failed drug war the candidates won't talk about, and we bombed an aspirin factory in Sudan because Bill was [dallying with] Monica. It doesn't matter whether you vote Republican or Democratic. Nothing will change because the government is run by big-money interests."

Across the mall at Ruby Tuesday, the television was tuned to pro bowling during the final debate, and after a couple of beers you couldn't tell the difference. Across the street, at the Waffle House between the Steak N Shake and Crabby Tom's Seafood, TIME magazine conducted a poll at least as scientific and useful as any of the others you get bombarded with daily. There were five diners in the room. Asked whom they like, one or two of them groaned. Pressed to answer, four took Bush; one liked Gore. Asked, Why Gore? he said, "I'd like you to leave me alone now."

Campaign fatigue. Hang in there, pal. One more week, and we'll all borrow your line.

TIME.com ON AOL For more, go to www.time.com/campaign2000