I admit that I’m little bipolar when it comes to doing difficult or messy jobs. For instance, every day I try to pick out my least favorite task and knock it out early so I can enjoy the rest of the day.

On the other end of the spectrum, I just filed my federal and state income taxes this past weekend. I hate doing taxes. Usually, I end up owing a few hundred dollars to the federal government and a couple of dozen more to the state of Missouri. Of course, it makes it worse after hearing friends and co-workers brag about $1,000 refunds.

But the taxes are done. Now I can move on with life.

I feel the same way about deciding which presidential candidate to support as I do about filing tax returns. I’m putting it off for as long as I can.

I was raised in a Democrat household but voted for Ronald Reagan twice and George W. Bush once (and yes, I’m ashamed of it). So, when I start looking for a candidate to support, I usually start on the Democrat side.

Hmmm ... Clinton or Obama?

At one time, I believe I could have been convinced to vote for Hillary. I don’t mind that she’s a bit cold and calculating (some would say conniving). Actually I want my president to possess those characteristics.

Hillary is smart and experienced. She obviously can deal with difficult world leaders (she’s dealt with Bill for years). She seems to have a discernible position on most issues, and I think it’s probably time America elects a woman president.

I even hung in there when she started crying on the campaign trail and talking about how tough it is to be a woman running for public office. Guys get queasy when a woman cries, but I was able to power through it.

I think Hillary’s problems began soon after Super Tuesday, when her campaign began to grow a little desperate. I think they dismissed Mr. Obama as a cultural phenomenon that eventually would disappear. When that didn’t happen, her campaign attacked.

Hillary actually lost my vote when campaign adviser Geraldine Ferraro said if Barack Obama “was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman (of any color), he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is.”

To be honest, I don’t know which group is more oppressed, women or black men. I do know that women have been fighting for years for equal rights and opportunities. Meanwhile, black men fight just to stay out of jail.

Which is worse? You decide.

So, if you don’t vote for Hillary, then the choice becomes Mr. Obama, right?

Actually, it’s not easy just to substitute one candidate for another. Frankly, Mr. Obama seems to be more appearance than substance, and I often wonder if he attracts support simply because he’s so different from George W. Bush. Remember, many of us voted for Mr. Bush in the first place because he was so different from Bill Clinton.

Looking back, that didn’t work out so well, did it?

Plus, Mr. Obama doesn’t have much of a track record in world affairs and has zero military experience at a time when this country is fighting a war. Obviously, he’s got some questions that need to be answered.

If not Obama, then do I cross political parties and vote for Republican John McCain or perhaps Ralph Nader?

Boy, it’s tough to make either of those choices as well.

A younger colleague gave me some advice last week on how to decide about Mr. McCain. “I’m going to wait to see who his running mate is,” the 20-something told me. “If it’s a Rudy Giuliani-type guy, then I’ll vote for him. If it’s a Mike Huckabee-type, no way.”

Ah, youth.

I think instead I’ll just wait it out in hopes that one of the candidates — any candidate — will capture my imagination and my vote. When it comes to taxes and politicians, it’s probably best not to hurry the process.

Steve Booher’s column runs on Mondays.