I have a long interest in the presidency and elections. In first grade, my mother brought me a poster of the presidents. That was later replaced by Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs when I got a little older. Two things happened because of that first poster. First, and I have no idea why, I memorized the presidents. That did impress people. I was, and not a savant, I just have a really good memory, but I can’t pound a nail straight. Secondly, the photo of Martin Van Buren with his mutton chops and Bozo-like hair scared the hell of little Cary.

When I was about twelve, my parents bought me a board game called Landslide. Instead of collecting the most money like in Monopoly, the goal was to accumulate enough electoral votes. I loved that game, but it didn’t take long and no one would play with me. My dad took me in the voting booth until I was about sixteen, when the nice elderly lady poll workers asked my age and said since he can almost vote he can’t accompany you any more. I have almost always voted, but some primary elections are meaningless.

I always followed elections and polls. I enjoyed discovering up and coming politicians beginning with Gary Hart. Becoming a Social Studies teacher was the perfect job at just the right time. I am addicted to the news and discussed current events regularly with my students. Now, how did we get here?

In 2016, I was living alone in a condominium with as Styx sang “Too Much Time on My Hands.” The news was frequently on television, and I had a thought. As time has gone by, national and statewide elections have become increasingly influenced by their managers. Their job is to develop strategies and tactics to try to win elections.

As an interscholastic coach for twenty years, I, with an occasional assistant, plotted game plans for a dozen or so athletes. In elections, there is one “player” and dozens of coaches. This is when I began to study the managers, whose decisions can make or break a candidate. I have been working on a bigger project than this will be, but the same theme.

With a June 27 debate coming, my first offering, coming soon, will be a brief history of presidential debates. That matchup will be the earliest in history. Usually they take place after Labor Day, after the nominating conventions, but with the candidates already chosen by their political parties this will be the first time one occurs in the summer and its likely it will be a hot one!

One more thing. . . .

Friends have suggested I do a podcast and/or a blog. Great idea. I have two issues with that. One, I taught for thirty-four years. I had to prepare then for a better part of that time, not so much at the end. Before that I worked in swimming pool and spa stores for fifteen years, endless customers and answering the phone. Some people aren’t going to believe this, but I am tired of talking. Maybe if enough people asked me to, I might.

The second reason is I am a 20th century man living in the 21st century. I accept, but don’t embrace technology. We’ll see how this goes.