This weekend I attended my county republican caucus. A few things have been running through my mind. Mostly for my TeenPact friends who would most understand some of my thoughts, but in general others might be amused or provoked to thought.
1) If you know John Pearson, when you attend a Sagadahoc county political function seriously remember that his twin brother Mark is the one who is politically active…I came very close to going up to Mark and saying hello as I would to John; quickly and just on time remembering that this was most likely not John, but Mark!! Whew, that was a close one!
2) Now, specifically for my TeenPact friends: When special speakers take the stand, by all means applaud when they say something that rings true with you. Even if it doesn’t but you want to be polite, give a little clap if you want. At the end of the speech, however, when they are done and the final applause rings out and the speaker exits stage right, (or left!) Do Not Stand to Clap unless someone else does first, or unless they do say something amazing and you wish to start a standing ovation in earnest. If you stand just to be polite and encouraging to the speaker, you may stand alone!!!
3) The way a notoriously moderate republican, (think Maine folks in DC,) makes a dent in the stubborn will of mostly conservative audience, and makes a defense of her reelection bid, is to point out how much worse the democrat who is coveting her seat is. She had me there for a while…until the fervor of the event faded into the next normal day in my life. Then I caught myself saying, “What was I thinking? She’s still a moderate through and through!”
4) When approaching the decision to attend this caucus, I was faced with a serious question….what will I wear? I had a pile of clothes on my bed! So, my decision was to dress the way I would dress for a day at the capitol, slightly modified for a Saturday in a school gymnasium. I think I did it just right. A tan skirt, hose, black loafers, white blouse and a black sweater type jacket rather than the business jacket. I felt confidant and relevant. No one knew me before. That day they were asking my name. I don’t necessarily need to be known, however, it was nice to be in place when leadership was needed even if it was only to initiate a sign-up sheet for would-be delegates.
5) Nathanael tapped me on the shoulder to say hello. He was traveling with Dean Scontras, the man to watch in Maine this year. He assured me that he had done research and Mr Scontras is the real deal. I assured him of my concern and prayers for he and his family as they grapple with his Mom’s illness.
It was an interesting day and more promise to follow since I volunteered to be one of 15 delegates from my town to the Maine Republican Convention in May.