I traveled to South Carolina for a friend's wedding this weekend. And with the election looming large next Tuesday, more than a few of the conversations I had centered on the race, the candidates and who I thought would win.

I warned my husband on the flight down that since we were headed south, most people consider it impolite when they are specifically asked who they will vote for and that, unless they pointedly say they are supporting Obama or McCain, he should assume everyone is a Republican. After all, it is South Carolina and civility, old-fashioned manners and political conservatism still reign supreme.

Throughout the course of the weekend, my assumptions – for the most part – held up. Although my Republican friends are less sure that their candidate will come out ahead on Nov. 4, no one I spoke to was ready to concede the election to Obama. While the rest of the country tracks the Democratic lead, it seems that South Carolina voters are backing the McCain/Palin ticket until the end. Many of them will no doubt stay up late election night anticipating the outcome.

Another thing this weekend trip reminded me is that although it's easy for us political junkies to get caught up in poll numbers and the media hype, if New Hampshire teaches us anything it's to not underestimate the power of the people's vote. I was in New York in January for our Street Team '08 orientation and went out with some friends for dinner on the night of the New Hampshire primary. When I returned to my hotel room, I was astonished – no, dumbfounded – when I learned Hillary Clinton had grabbed the Democratic vote in the Granite State. In the days leading up to that primary, some pundits had Obama up in my state by a 10-point lead. It turned out they were wrong. Dead wrong.

In other words, the polls may be predicting an Obama victory one week from today, but the polls aren't always right. Not a few of my friends reminded me of that this weekend.

So the point is go vote no matter what state you live in. Vote in the red states. Vote in the blue states. Definitely vote in the battleground states.

To quote my favorite journalist Bob Schieffer, "We take voting so seriously at my house, my wife has instructed me not to tell even her whom I vote for. She's afraid I'll disappoint her. Oh, ye of little faith. But isn't that the best part? We can tell everyone or no one.

"So go vote. It's good for the country and good for you. Makes you feel big and strong."