By Yael T. Abouhalkah, Kansas City Star Editorial Page columnist

Incredibly, there are still people who call themselves "undecided voters" when it comes to Barack Obama vs. John McCain. Let's hope these people stay home on Tuesday and don't decide the 2008 presidential election.

I know it's fashionable to praise undecided voters for not being political junkies. (To read a heartfelt, if not convincing, ode to undecided voters by John Cloud of Time magazine, go here.)

However, America needs well-informed voters to make the 2008 decision, not people who are waiting until their gut tells them which person ought to be president.

The candidates have done their part to distinguish themselves.

One (McCain) will be far more likely to continue the disastrous policies of George Bush.

One will "drill, baby, drill" for new oil off the coasts, while the other (Obama) will be more cautious in looking for energy.

Up and down the line, both candidates have serious differences on the issues.

Undecided voters don't deserve all the credit they get if they haven't made up their minds yet on this presidential election.