If they were, John Kerry would have been running for reelection on Tuesday and John McCain would have cried uncle two months ago.
So, we all went through the motions, while McCain hoped every single poll in the civilized world got it wrong.
"It ain't over til it's over," isn't just a rallying cry.
Just ask the Atlanta Hawks, who stormed back from a 23-point deficit to stun the Philadelphia 76ers in Atlanta last week.
And that brings me full circle to Andre Iguodala, the Sixers' "star" swingman who inked a six-year $80 million dollar extension in the offseason.
A.I. version 2.0 had his coming out party last season, his first free of the "selfish" Allen Iverson. And give Iggy credit, he looked a lot more comfortable being "the guy" who never shied away from a big shot in a big situation.
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Of course at the end of the day, 40-42 is what it is...mediocrity.
Sixers basketball chief Ed Stefanski knew Iguodala was best-suited as a complimentary piece, a player that should pattern his game after Scottie Pippen -- stuff the stat sheet and help your team win a different way every night.
Stefanski got his primary option during the offseason in Elton Brand and the former Duke product has been as advertised, averaging a double-double, 16.4 ppg and 11.8 rpg, through five contests.
The problem in Philadelphia has been Iguodala, who can't seem to accept his reduced role, at least if the early returns can be trusted.
When Iverson was in Philly, everyone was quick to write off Iguodala's faults. After all, the enigmatic Iverson needed the ball and ignored his teammates. So, when Iguodala went in his funks, the Sixers conveniently blamed it on a player they wanted to go.
What's the excuse now?
Brand is the most unselfish star in the NBA this side of Kevin Garnett. Iguodala gets plenty of touches but seems to sulk on the floor.
Through five games, the former Arizona star is shooting a woeful 38.8 percent from the floor and averaging just 10.0 points a game -- fifth on the team He's also turning the ball over at an alarming rate for a team that leads the NBA in flubs.
Things hit rock bottom in South Beach on Wednesday when the Sixers were routed by a poor Miami team, 106-83, to fall to 2-3 on the season.
Heat superstar Dwyane Wade piled up 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, five steals and three blocks with Iguodala as his primary defender. The offensive end of the floor was even worse for Iggy, as he was limited to two points on 1-of-7 shooting.
It's conceivable that Iguodala's start is an anomaly and he flips the switch, finally accepting his role and flourishing.
Of course, the last time I looked Barack Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday.
Moral of the story?
Sometimes the early returns are spot-on.
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