Gulf Breeze News

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From the Editor

One of the most entertaining things about this year's presidential election, personally, has been watching my youngest daughter suddenly discover the intrigue and allure of American politics.

Since she is age 15 and on the brink of securing a driver's license, it's not so coincidental that the Little One finally has been bitten by the political bug.

The Little One has paid surprisingly close attention to the primaries, and she listened intently as John McCain and Barack Obama debated three times during the past month. She was impressed with the splash made by Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and she liked the spunk and drive displayed by Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In recent weeks, with the rhetoric and mud flying back and forth across the television, the Little One showed even more interest. She, frankly, was stunned that grown-ups could make uninhibited, seemingly slanderous accusations against each other with apparently little accountability.

Then the campaign shifted to the street level. Campaign signs began springing up in neighbors' yards. As one rounds the corner to our street, motorists can't miss sign after sign espousing a common proclamation of support.

Determined to show her particular loyalty, the Little One obtained a yard sign and proudly planted it front and center for all passing motorists to see.

Permission to plant a sign in the yard did not come without much deliberation on Dad's behalf. Since I am a registered Independent and try to be as objective as possible with the content and politics of Gulf Breeze News, I assure you that I had reservations about allowing any political sign in our yard. In all my years as an adult, I've never placed a campaign sign in the yard for any office, not even dog catcher.

Over the weekend, the Little One was riding with a friend and her mother and the subject of the presidential race came up. My daughter proudly revealed that she had put a sign of support for her candidate in the yard, to which the parent bluntly responded:

"Is that a joke?"

The not-so-veiled criticism stung, to be sure. But my Little One is a fighter, and it will take a lot more than staunch political bias to make her second-guess her allegiance.

As the campaigns round the final turn to the home stretch, I'm glad the finish line is near. I'm also proud that the Little One who came into this world nearly 16 years ago is taking more notice of the events that shape our lives.

To me, that's a sign there is hope. And that's the best sign of all.