Though every individual’s vote counts, one man’s switch to mustard probably isn’t going to make voters turn away from John Kerry.

According to New York assemblyman James Tedisco, choosing America’s next commander in chief should be about nothing more than the packets of ketchup you get with your favorite fast food meals.

Earlier this month, Tedisco made an off-hand remark about the condiment that is prodigiously produced by the H.J. Heinz Co. After praising President Bush, Tedisco promised not to eat “one ounce of ketchup until Election Day” and instead be a “mustard man.”

Someone should have informed Tedisco that Heinz makes a variety of condiments – including mustard.

Tedisco said he would boycott ketchup – Heinz ketchup to be specific – because eating it would be like voting for Kerry through his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, whose late husband’s family founded the ketchup empire.

What Tedisco fails to see is that boycotting Kerry’s wife’s company has little bearing on Kerry’s success.

Baffled as they should be, officials from the Heinz company sent a letter to The Saratogian, the newspaper that printed an article about the remarks, stating that Heinz ketchup is America’s favorite ketchup and enjoyed by Republicans, Democrats and independents alike. The company also pointed out that neither Kerry, his wife nor any of the family’s trust or endowments own a significant portion of the company.

Tedisco should find a better way to make a statement about John Kerry – not using ketchup is not going to prevent Kerry from being elected. It’s not even going to cost Heinz Co. – or Teresa Heinz Kerry – any money.

If he wants to make a difference, Tedisco should join an ongoing protest, one with more than a single person involved. Or he could focus on the positive and campaign for Bush.

Of course, there’s also the obvious solution: If Tedisco doesn’t want Kerry in the White House, then he shouldn’t vote for him.

But a plan to boycott ketchup? It’s nothing but rotten tomatoes.