This past Saturday, I accompanied Jimmy Dahroug as he stumped for signatures. It was an eye-opening experience that all those (especially at the state party & senate campaign committee) who may be on the fence about Jimmy should have.

We were ringing doorbells for about three and a half hours. In all that time, there was one, and only one, registered Democrat who wouldn't sign Jimmy's petition. She did give her blessing to her 18-year-old son, however, when he wanted to sign it, so it was clear that she never signs anything. Several others were reluctant to sign at first, until they heard Jimmy talk about his campaign and his issues, and read the literature he brought.

The key moment came at the end of the day. A middle-aged man stated that he had voted for Trunzo because Trunzo delivered for the district (or words to that effect). Jimmy didn't argue with him; he just drew the man out to find out what his real issues were. It turned out that the man had a problem with high property taxes. Jimmy was able to talk about his position (which the man agreed with completely), why nothing had been done -- and especially that Trunzo had stood in the way of getting it done. That did the trick -- that voter won't be voting for Trunzo again, but will support Jimmy instead. By the time Jimmy was done, the man was talking about how nobody else had ever explained the whole situation before.

And that's a lesson we all can learn from. Too often, polticians act as if people don't want an explanation or wouldn't understand it. Jimmy not only knows better, but also knows how to communicate with voters. There is a level of political maturity required whenever one runs for office (unless, of course, one's father is seriously connected). Jimmy proved that he has it. He isn't just platitudes and sound bites; he actually understands what people's problems are, and is ready to help solve those problems.

Pity the same cannot be said of far too many politicians.

It's time the state party and committee string-pullers understood that connecting with voters is far more important than raising money from wealthy special interests. The only way we're going to win, not only this election but also the next and the one after that, is to learn that lesson.

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