Let's party 'till November

With the groovy sounds of Stevie Wonder still hanging in the air...they've all packed up and gone home.  Goodbye Indiana - thanks for the votes.

Now what?  Of course the Presidential race is still in play, but it is time we turn from the shiny object of the Clinton/Obama fest and really focus on our own state and the candidates that will run in November to lead Indiana and our home communities.  Important policies and decisions on issues that will save our economy, our families and our lives.

But has the bar been raised?  Do I need for a candidate to give me a concert with Dave Matthews, or drink a beer with me and shoot pool at my local watering hole to get my attention?  We've got candidates all over this state whose grandpappys owned a little shack and raised a family against the odds - will they all become story tellers in casual slacks?

I say yes.  The bar has been raised.  I've learned that in my own way I do actually need some sort of 'hook' that I can relate to a candidate with, even if it isn't, well, quite squared up with the issues.  Offering me some tunes with Stevie Wonder says that you know what I like; having a debate at the law school might never hit my radar screen.  Sitting down for coffee and showing family pictures gives me a story about you; I may never get around to reading your resume.  In Northern Indiana a guy running for the state legislature named Wes Culver hosted a "Wes Fest" last Friday -- now that sounds kindof fun. 

Fun stuff gets my attention.  Oh, say, like a big RV that wanders Indiana, or bright green t-shirts everywhere I turn with "notes from the road".  Ok, that's been done, but you get my point.  Times have changed; I want more.

These national folks came in and showed us - however superficially - that this kind of stuff gets our attention.  I found myself complaining about the lack of issues, the lack of substance.  I wanted them all to go home and leave my state alone.  But now I"m wondering what's going to be so fun between now and November?  Will we go back to more traditional means of campaigning (yawwwnnnn....).

Note to Hoosier candidates: I'm ready to party!

Comments

[Kristen Luidhardt]

Great post, Sue. I know exactly what you mean! :)