I have very little involvement in electoral politics, except that I vote (in DC, so I don't know how much difference my vote makes). Recently, though, I have had a few brushes with the political world, and I don't even feel as if I need a shower.
First, while I was in a very important meeting (and aren't they all important, if I'm involved?) I received a voice mail from a candidate for the Democratic nomination for a U.S. Senate seat from Virginia. I've spoken to him a few times, but not since the days of the dotcom bubble. I assumed that the message was just a blast voicemail, but it mentioned me by name. I know better, but I felt just the teensiest bit flattered by the attention. I will certainly call him back, and unless the Republican incumbent and the other Democratic challenger also call me, I may not root for them to win.
Second, today I received an email from my son's assistant Little League coach, telling me that he has written a book about the unintended consequences of campaign finance reform, which he argues may damage our democracy. I haven't read the book yet, but according to the author:
Campaign finance reform has trivialized contributions from voters, driven deep pockets underground, reduced the flow of money to non-wealthy candidates, weakened political parties, incited the emergence of 527 groups, and made incumbency and personal wealth what matters most in winning elections.
All I know about McCain-Finegold is that I don't plan to violate it, but it would be surprising if a statute on such a complicated subject didn't have unintended consequences. I like Rod very much. I am going to buy (and read) the book, and I encourage you to do likewise. The book's web page is here: http://www.moneypowerandelections.com
Finally, people have been walking around my neighborhood, campaigning for the 2006 DC mayoral and city council elections. One of the candidates for mayor even came to my house, while my son and I were at a Cub Scouts meeting, and he talked to my wife. Neither my dog, nor I, is particularly happy when strangers come to the house. If you're in the neighborhood, and we haven't met, please drop me a note before you drop by. In any event, I don't think we're going to put up a yard sign for any candidate this year, just like all the other years.