Final answer:
The most common pitfall for today's candidates is a lack of critical thought. This stems from making assumptions about the future based on recent history and voters not thoroughly researching candidates.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to a study cited in classroom discussion, the most common pitfall for today's candidates is lack of critical thought. This issue is related to the unconscious assumptions candidates make about the future, based on recent, anomalous history. Furthermore, there are various factors that contribute to this pitfall, such as voters not willing to invest time in research, leading them to vote with incomplete information. In addition, candidates need to avoid being unprepared, memorize answers, and maintain a clear and coherent message that aligns with their persona to be effective and memorable to voters. Lastly, candidates must be aware of the psychological aspects that can affect their communication with various types of voters.