Thats true, but we are talking prez here.
I will vote for local guys for sure, since like you said you might even know then and interact with them. And atleast the local guys seem to get active in the community.
Like I said the voting concept is great, but the presidential nonsense is at the top of the food chain and out of control. The local town officials IMO are about the best shot we have at ACTUALLY making an impact on our own lives through voting. Get to county levels and the corruption starts to get thicker, State LOOOOOL your blind if you dont think they are bending you over at will, and past that… shit rolls up hill in this case.