This election is dead even, but the track ahead hides many potholes and pitfalls. One misstep or outside event – a factor that’s not even visible or predictable now – could determine the winner two months from now.

What’s clear, and encouraging, is that Americans are energized by the campaign and enthusiastic about their choices. TV ratings for the conventions broke records. Nine of 10 voters tell the ABC/Washington Post poll they are closely following the campaign, and half say they are very involved – double the number eight years ago.

Sure, Barack Obama still has to recruit reluctant Clinton supporters, and some evangelicals are still not sold on John McCain, but few voters complain that they are choosing “the lesser of two evils” or “none of the above.”

The result is an extremely close contest. The ABC/Post survey has Obama up 1 point among registered voters, McCain up 2 points among likely voters. When the Web site Real Clear Politics projects the outcome in all 50 states, Obama leads with 273 electoral votes to McCain’s 265.

Behind those numbers, however, each candidate displays significant weaknesses. Here’s what to look for in the weeks ahead, the flaws that could break an ankle and decide the election.