One of the first political campaigns I worked on was Tammy Baldwin's. I signed up at least in part because Tammy went to Smith - Class of 1984, just ten years earlier than me. I had very little previous experience with campaigning, so I didn't know what I was signing up for. I did some phone calls and office work, and I did a lot of walking from door to door, delivering fliers about Tammy. I hadn't realized how much walking is involved in a good campaign. For my birthday that year, one of my good friends gave me some really nice moisturizer for my feet, correctly guessing that they had taken a beating from all the walking I had done. Since then, I've pounded the pavement for Russ Feingold, John Kerry, Fair Wisconsin, Barb Vedder, the Troops Home referendum, and Arlene Silveira, just to name a few.

I'm doing a lot of walking these days. Up and down the streets of our neighborhoods, meeting my neighbors, admiring the diversity of architecture, all the gardens put to bed for the winter, and most nights, admiring the moon. It's a lot easier to do on my own campaign - I really enjoy talking to people about the issues they care about, and I love walking around the district. State Rep. Spencer Black told me once that the only way to win an election is to outwalk your opponents. I think he's probably right, and I think it's a good thing I enjoy walking so much!