August 11th

One can never take a day off on the road. I traveled yesterday, but I didn’t campaign. I ended my day in Arlington. After taking a stroll through the national cemetery where I visited a navy friend and JFK’s grave, I got a cheap motel, showered and watched TV. This morning, after checking out and finding a decent breakfast, where I won over the waitress, I made my way to the rail yard and hopped a southbound. Riding a flatbed, I sat back and enjoyed the ride, waiving my sign at crossings. I snickered with the image of George W. riding back to Crawford, Texas in this manner, only his sign read, “Thanks for the memories, suckers!”

Manassas: I stopped here more to check out the Bull Run battlefield more than a campaign stop, but somehow I ended up at The Clubhouse, a wonderful dive complete with smoky air, sticky floors, colorful locals and good conversation. A day off does wonders for my game face. I jumped into stumping with renewed vigor and had my best session since Providence, Rhode Island. After a few hours, I bucked trend and announced my departure, shook hands and walked the short distance to the tracks. A few miles down the tracks, I hitched my next ride, hopping a slow moving westbound.

Charlottesville: The home of three presidents: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, a presidential candidate owes a visit to this city. It’s also a hopping College town, the home of the University of Virginia.

As I walked through the city, I caught a news report about the Russian Invasion of Georgia. I couldn’t help thinking about the hypocrisy of our government’s reaction. I’m not condoning Russia’s action, but, we are a nation who invaded another country; the rational of our invasion of Iraq built on lies. The current administration is like a television minister outted for an extramarital affair and then decrying a contemporary for committing the same sin. If that isn’t embarrassing enough, our leader, in his speech about the crisis, mentions that the Russian government as being deposed in an invasion. I am many things, my fellow Americans, but I do not promote double standards and I know who has invaded whom. I walked away from the Television shaking my head with disbelief. Maybe my idea isn’t fresh enough; we already have a bum in office. Maybe our nation needs a streetwise bum, not an educated idiot.

Though the crowds were light, I campaigned in the Buddhist Bar and Grille and ended up at Miller’s. At my later stop, even though there was live jazz, I moved on. I wasn’t winning any votes soaking in great music. I worked my way down University Ave. introducing myself. Most ignored me; a brave few shook my hand and wished me luck. Without a doubt, a bar environment was the best for canvassing the electorate. People were simply more approachable inside a watering hole. I returned to Miller’s and allowed myself to enjoy the music. When the band finished, I headed for the tracks and headed westward. About a mile out of town, I pulled up under the stars and bedded down for the night.