Yesterday my absentee ballot arrived in the mail; a reminder the US elections are only 17 1/2 days a way. 

Before technology became my passion, I lived and breathed politics and political campaigns, 24×7.   I was a paid campaign staff member for two presidential, two congressional, and two state representative races in states which included North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oregon.  I originally moved to Washington state to work to work as a fundraising consultant for a long ago gubernatorial race.   Sandwiched inbetween was two awesome years working for U.S. Congressman Mike Synar, in his DC office.  

Despite my sitting out the 1992 Presidential campaign, I knew and/or had worked with a number of the folks featured in the documentary “The War Room.”  Instead that year I put in 70 – 80 hour weeks working for one of the top campaign media consulting firms; which was a great experience but not one I’ve ever wanted to repeat.  I am still thankful while in that role I was part of Synar’s media consulting team for his last winning U.S. Congressional race.  Mike was an amazing person; it would have been too heart breaking to have been in the trenches for his last campaign.

Eventually all things must end.  One day I hit my limit for being a professional hack; and that was it – I was done.  Now I’m a politician’s worst nightmare.  Some years I vote, some years I don’t. 

I’m definitely voting this year.  In four years John McCain will be 76 years old -  and Sarah Palin is scary.  VERY scary.  I wouldn’t want her as my next door neighbor; or as our President. 

So – while I think Obama is a flawed candidate, this weekend I’m casting my ballot for Barack Obama.  Plus, my friends overseas, as well as my friend John, a permanent resident of  US who has paid US taxes for 13 years but still carries a UK passport are all counting on me to vote in this election since Sarah Palin is even scarier to them. 

I wish I could vote for Darcy Burner but unfortunately I’m just inside the 1st Congressional District, and just outside the 8th.  Damn.

Tonja, Douwe, John  - and Mark -  I won’t let you down.

Obama 08