THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN TRADITION

          We recently sponsored a gathering of neighbors, friends and family to meet our State Senate and House Representatives who are running for reelection in November.  Attendance was spare.  Not even the incentive of my Wife’s deep dish apple pie and other treats could induce prospective voters to break away from their regular routine, including the new prime time shows, the Pirates and Thursday Night football.  This was a shame, because by the end of the two hour session, those in attendance learned a great deal about the campaign, the issues facing Pennsylvania and what our representatives plan to accomplish if reelected.

          There was a time in America when state and local political campaigns were a major event and a welcome form of socialization.  After all, the only competition was the local houses of worship, the local taverns and the occasional town hall meeting.  In those days, political pamphlets, local speeches, rallies and small gatherings insured that voters got entertained, were heard by the candidates and were well informed before Election Day.  Compare this with today’s world, where we find it easier to complain about lack of results or the wrong result, rather than to become vested in the election process before the votes are tallied.

           I discovered several points from our experiment in sponsoring the candidates for reelection.  First, a newspaper account, sanitized stump speech, or political commercial will not reveal as much about a candidate as a one on one exchange on the issues.  Second, a discussion with a candidate makes it easier to separate the problem solvers from the pretenders.  Third, local candidates for State office want to meet with individual voters, listen to their issues and to have the opportunity to explain how they will govern. 

          Lastly, the candidates emphasize one point over all others: the importance of voting on November 4^th. Voter turn outs are ridiculously low in off year elections and the margin of victory often dangerously slim.  The cliché “every vote counts” could not be truer.

           Showing up at a campaign event to meet the candidates should be on your “to do” list. You will be participating in a grand American tradition and be well rewarded for making the effort.  Moreover, if your candidate does not win, or fails to follow his pronouncements, you will have earned the right to complain.