Sound Politics: Ahhh, Dad...just a few more minutes

April 28, 2008

Ahhh, Dad...just a few more minutes

It's no secret Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are tired. They admit as much at times on the campaign trail.

The more hidden toll always occurs with the staff, which is finally getting some due attention. Such high level political efforts are an amazingly stressful grind of long hours, high pressure, and low pay. Any veteran of a serious campaign for Congress or statewide office now doubt shudders at the thought of the now months unending on the campaign trail for the Democratic nomination. And while they shudder, the spouses no doubt just simply weep.

It's no secret this blogger has many a difference with the Democratic candidates, but on a human level I have immense respect and sympathy for what their staff members (and those staffers' families) are going through.

The laborers for Dino Rossi and Christine Gregoire are already going full bore, even as the campaign still percolates a bit under the public radar. Let me say in advance to those on both sides of the aisle about to gut through perhaps the most intense gubernatorial race in our state's history: I salute you.

Best wishes on the trail in the coming months, even if I can't wish you all the same luck.

Posted by Eric Earling at April 28, 2008 07:46 AM | Email This

Comments

1. Seeing what politicians have to go through, I am not sure how they make it, especially if they have young children. This is one area I have concern for Barack Obama. Is it really worth it? He stated in his interview with Chris Wallace on Fox that his biggest disappointment is the time away from his girls.

Good Luck to all those campaigning this fall, especially those with young children. Remember to take time for your families.

Posted by: tc on April 28, 2008 07:45 AM

2. Your point is very well taken tc. Virtually any type of national service will exact a price, often quite heavy, on the family. Look at those in the military, esp those in Iraq and Afganistan.

Is it worth it? Someone has to do the job.

Posted by: Unkl Witz on April 28, 2008 08:03 AM

3. Wizz.
Virtually any type of national service will exact a price, often quite heavy, on the family. Look at those in the military, esp those in Iraq and Afganistan.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Say what?
So if I'm a Park ranger it's hard on my family?
Please.
When you join the Armed services, you do darn well what can happen to you and your family.

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 28, 2008 08:29 AM

4. When you join the Army...you do so despite how much it may draw you away from your family. You do it to defend the nation in whole; and to protect your family and loved ones and give them the freedoms we guard so jealously. Although those freedoms apparently don't mean as much these days as they should....

But The Armed Forces? Worth it? Definitely. Most definitely.

Posted by: Army Girl on April 28, 2008 08:37 AM

5. The guy who is too old to be president has been going harder than any of them. Just a morsel for thought.

Posted by: swatter on April 28, 2008 08:58 AM

6. Swatter.

LOL...... nice. (-:

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 28, 2008 09:23 AM

7. #5: That's great...and true!

Posted by: John Bailo on April 28, 2008 09:42 AM

8. IMO: This coupled with having to live life under a microscope with any perceived shortcoming spun up to mountainous proportions keep many good people out of office.

They'd rather just go to work and have to have the hassle for themselves or their family..

Posted by: Sam Adams on April 28, 2008 10:34 AM

9. This quote seems oddly relevant:

"Too bad the only people who know how to run the country are busy driving cabs and cutting hair."

-George Burns

Given the choice, I think I'd stick with the hair cutting and cab driving myself.

Posted by: Brian Lutz on April 28, 2008 11:10 AM

10. At least Demorats know at three o'clock in the morning...when the phone rings; it's not Move-on-dot-org...or Gays for Gore...or some Green Nut Lug...or Anti-Gun fanatics. These are the types of calls Republicans get at three AM!!!

I know, I got these calls 24 / 7 when I ran for state office in the 27th. I never got more than an hour's sleep from the time I announced to Election Day...and then for weeks after the calls continued...informing me how the Elite & Informed had put me in my place!!!

Posted by: Pacific Grove Phlash on April 28, 2008 02:21 PM

11. PGC....

Dude be a fire fighter/medic.

Then tell me YOUR story! LOL

Posted by: Army Medic/Vet on April 28, 2008 05:13 PM

12. Just a little side note about Barry O. One of his unfunded grandiose wealth redistribution schemes was to give big grants to youngsters willing to commit to national service after graduation. He constantly mentioned things like Peace Corps, Americorps, and Habitat for Humanity (Win with the Grin). Apparently those interested in completing their national service defending our nation need not apply. Of course we are all ignorant uneducated lower class grunts. Of course my recruiter was a little surprised by my score on my entrance exam, so maybe I wasn't typical, lol.

Posted by: Hairy Buddah on April 28, 2008 06:57 PM

13. After Rev. Wright's outbursts that were covered by the Mainstream Media, do you think that Obama still has a chance ?

It will likely be borne out in the coming days that Jeremiah Wright has done big damage to Barack Hussein Obama's candidacy and it looks he may not be the one to oppose John Sidney McCain in November for POTUS.

It seems like Wright had it in for Barack Obama - who knows why ? He would have gone away if he really wanted to support his candidate, but instead he was more interested in fame and showing off his hate speech and spite in front of the NAACP and the National Press Club.

McCain is the only candidate that I'd want to see in charge over the next four years. The vermin of the MSM will be flush with hit pieces on him (don't think many of them will stick though) as soon as the Democrat nomination process is over and you can take that to the bank !

Posted by: KS on April 28, 2008 08:22 PM