Mrs. Schmidt goes to Washington

This past Tuesday Ohio's 2nd District elected Jean Schmidt to a congressional chair vacated by Bush's new secetary of trade Rob Portman. Endorsed by that same man, the White House, and the Caucus for Conservative Action (http://www.ccaonline.info), Schmidt won by a slim 4% margin. This small victory in holding a GOP seat couldbe vyer helpful in the upcoming 2008 presidential election. Given the controversy surrounding the state of Ohio during the last election, any ground gained or maintained as red is helpful; also, having a Republican incumbent in that large and highly-populated congressional district gives the GOP a distinct advantage because her foothold there allows for accessibility in campaigning.
For a campaign trail virgin, Schmidt's 72-hour push was an education indeed. All the books you read, the classes you ace, and the lectures you attend simply cannot make up for field experience. Sorry, Joe Klein, Dr. Behrman, and the CPAC lecturers. Personal dynamics, local leadership, and good roommates can make all the difference in the world.