It's obvious that the Internet is shaping opinions and becoming a vehicle for sharing information during the presidential campaign. It was only a matter of time before we began hearing more about how political operatives are using the Web to shape their strategies. Now, one technology company is touting a "secret weapon" for choosing the ideal presidential ticket.Optimization.

Affinnova announced during a recent conference for political consultants that the same techniques that have helped market Gatorade, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart can predict which combinations of candidates and issues are most likely to draw voter support.

"Affinnova's project to identify the ideal vice presidential candidates marks the first time this technology has been applied to the political process," the company announced in New York City last week.

A sample of 2,000 likely voters will choose from slates led by Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, paired with 100 vice presidential running mates. The system, developed through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also will include 120 policy priorities.

Those surveyed will face 20 to 25 rounds of choices. Each option will be based, in part, on prior selections. Once 1,000 or more people have completed the rounds, a few "optimal concepts" will emerge from nearly 35 million possible combinations, according to Affinnova.

The 2008 primaries showed that polls are unreliable, said Steve Lamoureux, the company's chief innovation officer. I agree, but I would add that they've been unreliable for quite some time and so have a lot of pundits.

In the spring of 2000, I interviewed for a job covering state government in Pennsylvania. A group of seasoned political journalists asked who I thought would win the upcoming election. I had recently traveled across the country and witnessed a real split. I told them I suspected it would be too close to call. They expressed doubt.

I predicted it would be so close that it may not be determined on election night. They laughed, expressed shock, and ended the interview. My co-workers and friends who covered politics were equally dismissive about my views. Ditto for my take on Hillary Clinton's chances of winning the presidency.

I won't say "I told you so," but I will say I wasn't the least bit surprised in 2000 or this year.

Affinnova says "what works for peanut butter should also work for politics." They say they're putting the concept of "The Wisdom of Crowds" into action through software.

Well, I like peanut butter and Gatorade, but not as much as I love observing my country's politics. I certainly believe that stuff we learned in elementary school about crowds fueling democracy. And, I believe in the power of technology and science to transform lives. So, I'll be waiting for Affinnova's results.

But I've got another idea for all the political consultants and observers. It's really simple and it's free: Get out a little.

Just once in a while, step outside your circles of like-minded people in buttoned-down shirts and ties or pantsuits. Talk to your moms, your kids, your taxi drivers, or the guys who pick up your trash. Listen when they tell you what they think about the economy, the war, and health care. Then, you'll really know what Americans are thinking.