If you haven’t already, you will probably have ghosts, goblins, witches and other interesting creatures knocking on your doors tonight.

But if the presidential campaigns haven’t scared you away, maybe they will tonight if you see them campaigning — Halloween-style.

What one can’t imagine, at least this point in time, is Bob Dole, Ross Perot and any of the other presidential candidates outrunning President Clinton.

With five days left to campaign, frustration has overcome Dole’s campaign advisers, if not himself.

Perot, on the other hand, is a lost cause.

But these hopeless candidates haven’t given up.

They may be out this evening treat-or-treating for votes.

If they’re at home, they may be handing out pamphlets about their stances on issues instead of candy.

Or in Perot’s case, it may be charts and graphs.

That could scare the little ghosts and goblins away, though. But there’s no need to fret.

Campaigning Halloween-style may be a trend in future election years. But before the candy come the costumes.

Clinton and members of the Democratic party feel confident of winning in ’96. But the question is by how much?

To garner support for Clinton, Democratic campaign advisers may be dressed in JFK-associated attire while out trick-or-treating this evening.

Why JFK? Because he was one of Clinton’s heroes.

Clinton and Kennedy shook hands and the Kennedys held the image of America’s royal family — elegant, modern and controversial.

Democratic campaigners may be dressed as John and Jackie, secret service agents and maybe even the Eternal Flame.

The Dole campaigners could be dressed as Abraham Lincoln, probably the most recognized Republican president in U.S. history.

Who could resist rewarding a Lincolnian face with candy?

Perot campaigners could be dressed as, well, Perot.

They may not have much variety to work with in regard to history, but they have imagination.

While giving out candy, you may hear a tape recording of Perot’s rambling voice behind the mask. And if a Perot face approaches you, don’t hesitate to slam the door.

So in the neighborhoods of America tonight, you have the Kennedys (D), the Lincolns (R) and Perots trick-or-treating for votes, votes and more votes as they make their final impressions on the public before Election Day.

In the midst of traveling from door to door, several Lincolns snatch some Perot trick-or-treaters into their candy sacks. Why?

Because Dole asked Perot for his support and he refused. So the Lincoln-disguised Dole campaigners get mad and decide to force the Perot people to support the Republican candidate.

The Republicans join the Democrats and debate about issues together while trick-or-treating.

The Republicans say there’s too much government.

The Democrats say there wouldn’t be too much government if the Republicans didn’t dominate Congress.

The Republicans want no abortions. The Democrats say it should be an option.

The Republicans want lower taxes. The Democrats think (not say) that’s impossible if you want to cut the deficit.

The Republicans want equal rights. The Democrats want special rights.

As their debates continue into the night, the Republicans find themselves with the most candy (or votes).

Their sacks are getting heavier by each house.

The Democrats are working hard also, but they don’t have as much candy as the Republicans.

But they accept a lot of money from an Indonesian banking family. Who needs candy when you have cash?

At the end of the night, the Democrats end up with the most candy, money and party support. The Republicans ended with more added support as well. But they were disappointed to find later that the Perot people ate their candy.

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Shuva Rahim is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Davenport.