Having all of the presidential hopefuls at hand, as we in New Hampshire do during our unique primary season, comes at a price. Not just the traffic congestion as candidates race from one site to another or the advertising that clutters on the airwaves or the willingness to venture as outsiders into hotbeds of supporters. No, the more vigilant and responsible of us spend hours of personal time and gallons of fuel driving to scheduled events to meet the hopefuls in the flesh and see how they respond to public concerns. It often means arriving early to get a seat while knowing all too well the star of the show will arrive late, and not just by minutes.
And then, sometimes, you get there only to find the parking lot’s empty – the event just got cancelled. We could name names here but won’t.
Let me say, though, you get a much different view of them up-close and in-person than what you’d otherwise obtain. Especially when they’re off-camera and pulled away from the script.
Jnana's Red Barn 
Yes, I can see the advantage you enjoy. I don’t recall ever meeting a politician whom I didn’t thoroughly enjoy spending some time in her or his presence.
Nevertheless, it is good to spend some time looking under the hood to see the level of commitment to helping the country we have become move forward, rather than any backtracking attempts toward an America that never existed. But I remain hopeful that we can someday become an exceptional nation. It is not an impossible goal.
Sometimes I think we must have it easier; we don’t have to vote for the Queen!
Don’t give Trump any ideas! At the moment, at least, we’re not expected to bow or curtsy in their presence …