V for Veritas, Tactic or Strategy

"I am afraid Senator Obama does not understand the difference between a tactic and a strategy." John McCain, September 26, 2008 at the Presidential Debate between the two senators.

My oldest daughter, Sarah, has had a political bent since she was 2 and 1/2 where she punished her Grammy for voting for Ross Perot by not walking with her anymore or holding her hand. This event occured on the way to Dan's Bake Sale. Google it if you don't remember it, or are curious.

Since then her political interests have grown and developed through the years.

At the age of 9, Sarah drug us down to the local Republican office and she offered to volunteer for Bill Owens in his campaign for governor. Because of her age, they required that a parent participate in volunteering with her. A reasonable request to be sure, but also requiring a time commitment on our part.

So, like good parents, we complied and began volunteering beside her. This was in July. In August of that year at the annual Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Parade that many political candidates walk in, our daughter was carrying a sign in support of Bill Owens close to his float. As we walked the parade route, folks called out to us that having her carry the sign was "child abuse." Little did they know that it was her passion that spurred us on to helping her do what she desired to do.

This was also the first time that we had been referred to as Sarah's parents.

Because we homeschool, we were able to tailor Sarah's learning to her passion for politics. She took three years of the US Constitution and can quote many sections of it. She not only learned the basics, but also about the Supreme Court cases that helped to shape the interpretation of the Constitution.

She also volunteered as an intern for four years in high school for a representative who, together with his wife, founded CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado). In those four years she learned about the reality of politics from the inside and grew in her understanding and knowledge of how the inner workings of the political scene are accomplished, or not. She also volunteered on many more campaigns, locally, statewide and nationally. Some were winning campaigns, some were not.

Right now there is a referendum on the Colorado ballot that would allow 21-year olds to run for and hold office in the Colorado State House or Senate. The age requirement now is 25-years old. This referendum was co-sponsored by the representative that Sarah interned for with the specific intention of allowing people like Sarah to run for office.

Since graduating from high school in May 2007, Sarah has been the Executive Director of the HEARTH Fund, a Political Action Team that promotes choice in education, Christian family values in Colorado politics. In the last election, the HEARTH Fund supported 16 candidates and 10 of those were elected. It was founded in 2004 by Representative Kevin Lundberg. Since Sarah assumed the ED position, the HEARTH Fund has almost doubled in size and continues to grow. She began the 5X5 campaign, helped with state-wide caucus training and recently launched the SEND campaign on the Amy Oliver Show.

Tomorrow, Sarah has the opportunity to approach a local investor to ask him to help fund her vision for the future of the HEARTH Fund. We would appreciate your prayers for that meeting.

Well, Sarah has become convinced through the last several months that she needs to geer herself towards becoming more involved in politics. (Is that possible?) Therefore, she has begun a political blog and I invite you to view it and engage her in discussion if you feel up to debating on the internet.

So, how does this tie in to the quote at the top? Truth is always truth, and that's not a tactic, it's a strategy. Veritas mean truth. I could say something rather mean-spirited, but I'll exhibit restraint for now and refrain from doing so!

Let me know what you think of her blog in my comments.