A Cautionary Tale About Campaigning Too Hard
For as long as we've been involved in politics, our motto has been "It's Just Politics". By that, we mean, while the issues are serious, the sport of politics - just like any other sport - is not life or death. Many candidates treat it like it is life or death, and to those who do, may we temper that zeal with the story of Keith Romaine.....
Romaine was a Brookhaven Town Councilman, and the son of Suffolk GOP legend Ed Romaine up here in Long Island. From all accounts, he was a good Councilman, and with his pedigree, big things were probably in store for him in the future. Romaine busted his tail 24/7 to win re-election in a tough year for incumbents, but he did earn another term last week. Now the downside.....
As you know, October and November weather in the Northeast kinda sucks. It's cold. It rains. It's windy. It's perfect cold and flu weather. It's not the best place to be out in the cold, knocking on doors or shaking hands in front of the A&P.... Well, Romaine worked so hard to win re-election that he caught pneumonia, and the virus attacked his heart, and he passed away yesterday. He was 36.......
We all know about William Henry Harrison, who in 1841 spent 3 hours giving his Presidential inauguration in the cold and rain, and died 9 days later. Things like this still happen. We all think we're Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof, but compared to Mother Nature, we are nothing.
I remember the day I spent with Rudy Giuliani, driving him around the Pee Dee on the campaig trail back in 2007. He had five stops in South Carolina that day, and four more in Iowa the next day - and it was six months before the first caucus!! Campaign co-ordinators like to get their guy/lady everywhere if possible, but there need to be limits. I'm sure Rudy cut back after that, and it may have cost him the Presidency, but he's still around and enjoying life, right?
With the 2010 elections in South Carolina just getting into high gear, we'd like to give each of the statewide candidates a tip: Go easy. Enjoy the campaign. Work hard, but don't forget about the other things that are important, and HAVE FUN... After all, It's Just Politics.....
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