Politics as Child's Play

In the course of campaigning, things sometimes happen that really make the effort seem like child's play. Today was one of those days when I attended Delegate Chap Petersen's Fairfax City kickoff of his statewide RV tour for Lt. Governor.

Chap had his beautiful RV prominently displayed, with doors open to allow supporters to tour the interior. Reverend Ron Christian, a resident of the 37th offered a blessing, and Chap began his address to the crowd. Standing on the steps up to the "living room" of the RV, Chap's beautiful daughters Ava and Mary Walton played behind him. As Chap was warming up the crowd, Mary Walton was too!

Mary Walton was out-talking her dad at every sentence as she let it be known that a birthday was in the offing and she was expecting to open quite a few gifts. As the competition grew between dad and daughter, it became clear that Mary Walton had charmed the crowd totally and Chap, good father that he is, relented and offered her the stage. It was just then that Mary Walton made a mad dash to the RV's radio and turned it on full blast so that any further speechifying would be impossible.

Mary Walton was the star of the show, and the interaction between the two was so endearing that everyone left the event confident that in the Petersen family, the entire family is appreciated even when it is not terribly convenient. Actually, child's play can be very instructive!

One of the pleasures in my own campaign for the House of Delegates is the support of Walter and our boys. It is amazing how a campaign can bring out the real strength (not to mention the showmanship!) in a family.