The observations of a 50 something with lots of experience in politics, government, life and learning.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

How to fit this all in when I'm about to hit the road for another fun-filled day on the campaign trail? Three separate trips yesterday to Cummington, for the amazing Cummington Fair, where we have a booth RIGHT BY THE ENTRANCE! Location, location, location!

But truly the best part of yesterday was attending the Grand Opening of "Rotary Park," a handicapped-accessible playground on Springside Avenue in Pittsfield. Seeing the kids (and the adults!) enjoy the park and remembering WHY we're going through this foolishness -- to actually help people and make their lives better -- was truly inspirational and it gave me a renewed commitment to hold my head high and keep working 24/7 to accomplish the goals of this campaign.

Which sometimes can be difficult, when one of the purveyors of Conventional Wisdom grins at you and says "Of course, Opponent X is going to win." "No he's not." I shot back. "I am." If the scene of this exchange were the holding tank of reporters outside a national debate, it would be called "spinning." In this case, it's just the truth. The individuals who are supporting me are very rarely in conversation with the people who spin the Conventional Wisdom.

I liked this note I received from someone whose view of the world and opinion I respect: "And then of course there's just the self fulfilling prophecy aspect of political cowardice (or self-preservation instinct if that's more charitable). Why do you think the polls in so many contests show a high percentage of undecided right up until election day? I maintain that it is not voters evaluating candidates, but sheep waiting to back the apparent winner."

So as they say, if all the people who think I'm the superior candidate would simply have the courage to say "She's the superior candidate. I'm voting for her," then I'd win. Which I will. Because somewhere out there are 7500 people who know what's good for them.

2 comments:

Tim Kushi said...

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, step right up, step right up...

Cheap shots, geeet yer cheap shots! Pot shots half off--a special offer available one time this election cycle only!

Diva of Demographics said...

If you read my literature, you'll see it says "Margie Ware is the only woman in the State Senate race ... DOT DOT DOT ... to be endorsed by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus.

That is a true statement.

It says my degree is from Mount Holyoke. I am a member of the Williams College Class of 1970 because I spent my junior year there as part of the Ten College Exchange. I was one of the first female students. I have been an alumna volunteer for the school. I was also the Vice President of the Mount Holyoke Alumnae Association. And have an Alumnae Medal of Honor. And was admitted to the MBA Honor Society. But I don't talk about that because I prefer to understate my accomplishments and instead concentrate on new ideas and visions for Western Massachusetts and the Commonwealth.