My daughter's elementary school held Student Council elections yesterday.  She ran for Third Grade Representative.

One boy and one girl represent each class.  Her friend Rick had a lock on the boy rep slot.  He was the only boy in the race.

My daughter was facing real competition.  The classroom is divided into four tables, and three of them had a female candidate.  Every candidate got to put up two posters for one day and to make a three-minute speech. 

My daughter and my wife worked on her campaign strategy while I worked on what I would say when I picked her up from school yesterday.  Something like "congratulations" or maybe "Well, now you know how Hillary felt."

Driving my candidate to school yesterday morning, I was cautiously optimistic.  She has been watching politicians perform since she was a kid for Kerry in 2004.  She knows the ropes.

She cut a deal with Rick for his vote and went after the table without a candidate.  She rehearsed her campaign speech.  I got to play the part of one of her friends.  She promised to listen to me.

When she got out of the car yesterday morning, I was feeling pretty good.  One of her signs used a slogan I suggested.  "You'll Be Glad You Did." 

And she was wearing her Hannah Montana T-shirt.