I figure 45% hate Obama and 45% hate Republicans. So that leaves 10% to decide who will be president.

My impression is the Republican campaign may be turning away the precious undecideds. Look at clowns like Kane, Bachmann and Perry, and the way Newt and Mitt are trashing each other. What do you think?

I think Romney is just as attractive to independents as Obama is. Gingrich will definitely scare away independents though.

After there is a final republican candidate, it will be that person versus Obama, and the two will be thrashing each other the entire time, and that is all that will matter.  As for the other republicans you are talking about who won't make the final cut, they will soon be ancient history and therefore nothing they say or do today will make any difference next November.  

You are right, the election will be decided by about 10% of the electorate, and as usual in this country, it will come down to which candidate is the better bullshitter in the debates.  I would say that Romney and Obama are equally matched bullshitters.  Newt is less of a bullshitter.  Candidates who speak about their strong record and have facts to back them up don't win elections.  You make the sale when you sell a bucket of bullcrap, not when you give people facts and figures.  

The 10% who will decide the election are generally not sophisticated enough to understand facts and figures, they don't understand what unfunded liabilities are, they don't understand why our energy polices are increasing the price of food, all they really want are catchy soundbites that they can easily remember.  In the end, it the best bullshitter that wins the election anyway.

It may not be the 10 % that decide the election.  Perhaps, those behind the little black box, scoring your vote will decide.