I did it , I think. I think that I managed to tip-toe through the tulips/landmines as a local blogger for my first election. Whew.

Ok, it was a special election, but you got to admit, it was an often heated and often passionate special election. And a whole lot of people did come out to vote (good for Newburyport, MA).

I got to admit, I’m pretty nervous about blogging the Newburyport Blog during the regular election season, which appears to have begun yesterday, well maybe a whole lot sooner.

I’ve heard rumors of 2 more folks about to announce that they are running for mayor of Newburyport, MA, and already emotions appear to be running really, really high.

And this is what I am beginning to see. A possible very unpleasant reality. I may agree with parts of the platform that a candidate may be running on, but I may not think the candidate could make a good elected official. Ouch.

Or, I might not be keen on the approach or on tone of how a campaign might be handled, even though the issues could be of interest. Another Ouch again for yours truly.

Not so much of a quandary for me as a voter, as it is a quandary for me as blogger. And yes, from the occasional email, I can already see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon, if not actually dumping rain right over my little house. And this is May?? Well, I suppose it’s only 5 months or so away from election day 2007.

I had so hoped for a respite. A respite of not shutting my blogger’s eyes every time I check my email. And a possible reprieve from screening my blogger phone calls.

Sigh.

I’ve already received an email (let’s let the human being remain anonymous), asking me if “I’ve lost my ‘#!*’ mind” and “congratulating” me for “undercutting the progressive base.” And that maybe I could “sound out to your (my) frogs before spreading the word to the entire city.”

Well, first of all the frogs are offended (as well they should be), and secondly I had no idea that my “word” had spread so widely, much less to the “entire city.” Wow. Who knew?

And my sin, my “faux pas?” Suggesting that a progressive platform could be ineffective without an electable and likable candidate. It seems to me that folks care as much about the person as they do about the issues, if Newburyport history might be a guide.

What a discouraging word. How terrible of moi.

And as I said, emotions appear to be already running rings, and jumping up and down all over the place. Good grief.

I guess this is how I feel, whoever gets elected this November 2007, people would agree and disagree, but the world as I know it may not come to an end.

I am trying to get my little blogging mind and soul in perspective. We are after all a community. That lovely combo of unity and dissent. Courtesy and respect are always helpful. May I be able to keep that in mind.

Mary Eaton
Newburyport