Forget Sarah Palin.

Forget polls, pols, and politics.

I was reminded today what campaigning is really about—people.

I had the honor of canvassing my community of Harrisburg today with District 10 Senate candidate Clara Hart and District 10 House candidate Mary Ann Giebink. We were joined by Clara’s husband Jon, her granddaughter Nadia, and my good friend Barry Foster.

We knocked on a lot of doors, met a lot of dogs, and talked to a lot of people.

Most people we met this afternoon were busy enjoying a Sunday afternoon of NFL football, home remodeling projects, cleaning, relaxing, or watching the kids play touch football in the front yard.

It was a splendid day to be out—cool, crisp, just a hint of breeze. Perfect walking weather.

No one we met really had any questions for the candidates. Mary Ann and Clara basically just introduced themselves and dropped some literature off.
Everyone we met was polite.

It gives you a far different feeling of what’s going on to get out from behind the computer and talk to real people—and make friends with a few dogs.

Want to know what real politics and real campaigning is like—go walk a precinct or a neighborhood with your favorite candidate.

You’ll come away with far less cynicism about the process, have more regard for the candidates, and understand what a great thing our American democracy is.