As a Hoosier politcal hack, 2009 is not a great year. There are no elections here. So, like so many of my brethren from across the country, I've been growing my clientelle outside of Indiana- particularly in Virginia where there always is an election taking place.
We've put together a website and have been consulting with
Rich Anderson, a top challenger who's campaign is being run by a former Hoosier. They've been doing an excellent job getting out his message and raising money online, proving that event state legislators can succeed at that goal. In addition, we'll be unveiling some work for another VA challenger and an incumbent.
However, we are most excited about a new client- the
Republican Party of Virginia. We're actually doing something a bit different for them that I'll have more of a chance to expand upon in the future.
But I digress... My original intent with this post was to talk about the inevitable, unfortunate consequence of doing all this business in Virginia- the driving. To save money, and because I am mad at the airlines for tacking on $15 fees for luggage (x4 because the fee is applicable for both Kristen and I both when we leave and when we return), I drive. I can generally get to Richmond in 8-9 hours, hopefully avoiding any speeding tickets (particularly in Ohio which must have a Highway Patrol larger than the entire Indiana National Guard).
Now, I like parts of the driving. It, at least, gives Kristen and I the chance to be alone and undistracted. We get to talk, which seems more rare these days, and if we pick a scenic route we also get to enjoy something more than endless corn fields.
But the excitement of the travel is quickly wearing thin, particularly in Virginia where some of the highways appear to be in a perpetual traffic jam. We've dragged
Sarah from the office along, sometimes to help us drive through the night, and she seems more enthusiastic about the trips.
Either way, I'm very thankful for the expanded business. But perhaps it's time we change some things around here in Indiana so that we replicate the non-stop campaign cycle in Virginia. Perhaps then the worst I'll have to experience is the lengthy drive to Evansville.