[...]We talked about the 2000 election, and she made a startling confession to me.

“I didn’t vote”, she confessed.

I looked at her in shock and surprise. “What happened?” I asked, sure that the answer would have something to do with being kidnapped by ruthless pirates, shanghaied to… well, Shanghai, and forced to work in a sweatshop turning out counterfeit Bush-Cheney bumper stickers. If only it were that simple.

“I didn’t think it was that important”, she protested, “and I was trying to get my Master’s degree.”

I teased her for weeks afterwards for being responsible for Bush-Cheney, even though North Carolina was not in play that year. However we should all take note that NC and many other states are in play, and regardless of how crucial your state is to the national election, you should take the time and vote for the local candidates you see as fitting to your interests. A good house is only as solid as its foundation. Vote early, vote well, and enjoy the thrill of tomorrow.

“The Rand Paul for Senate campaign is extremely disappointed in, and condemns the actions of a supporter last night outside the KET debate. Whatever the perceived provocation, any level of aggression or violence is deplorable, and will not be tolerated by our campaign. The Paul campaign has disassociated itself from the volunteer who took part in this incident, and once again urges all activists — on both sides — to remember that their political passions should never manifest themselves in physical altercations of any kind.”