Fourteen days from now, the inhabitants of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue will change. It might or might not be as you wished it would be. Some are excited and hopeful about what the next four years hold while others are less convinced. Either way, with another election behind us, perhaps we can find a way to tone things down. As John Lennon explained in a 1969 song, “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.”

In the fall of 1960 Richard Nixon and John Kennedy were vying for keys to the White House. During fourth grade social studies class, Mrs. Keiser spent most of an hour bending our tender ears about the two major political parties, the background of both candidates and how a decision would be made based on votes cast on election day to decide who the next president would be. She then asked, “If you could vote for one of the candidates, which one would you choose, and why?”

She called on Jimmy Sidebottom for an answer. “I’d vote for Nixon,” Jimmy said, “because Kennedy is Catholic.”

My hand shot up. My best friend, next-door neighbor and all his siblings attended a nearby Catholic school. What I hoped to say was that Jimmy’s reason was lousy. But, I wasn’t called upon to speak. Sixty-four years later, voters now continue to disagree on who, the reasons why or based on what criteria our leadership should be determined. Some opinions make sense; others still don’t. I cast my first ballot for president in the Nixon-Humphrey race five days after I turned old enough to vote. Since then, despite my own leanings, I have voted for both Democrat and Republican candidates in a variety of races during the years since.

My son, David, graduated Georgetown University with a degree in government in 2005. In part related to those efforts and his connection to ND, he served internships and on reelection campaigns for both of ND’s senators about that time. This led to a different opportunity: fund-raising for Chris Dodd (D. from Connecticut) during his bid to become president. Dodd’s campaign began January 11, 2007, and ended on January 3, 2008, after his sixth-place finish in the Iowa caucuses.

Although I was aware of David’s work, I also knew there were at least seven other Democrats hoping to survive the primary that would determine who would face a candidate from the other side. David asked if I would care to contribute to the Dodd campaign. I declined. Sitting at home a few days later, I reconsidered. David was doing his best at a new job. I felt compelled to support my son’s effort–regardless of circumstances. I found an online site, and made a small donation. Within minutes, my phone rang. “Hey Dad, what cha doing?”

“Nothing. Just watching TV. What’s up?”

Not mincing words, he got down to business. “Dad, how would you feel about being North Dakota’s Chairman of the Chris Dodd for President campaign?”

“Why would you ask me that?” I questioned.

“Well, no North Dakotan has contributed more to the Dodd campaign than you have.”

Considering my paltry effort, I couldn’t help but wonder, “How many contributors are there?”

“Two, so far,” he replied. I suspected he was the other.

Unexpected things (Gov. Howard Dean’s “I have a scream” speech in 2004 comes to mind) can occur during national election cycles. Looking back now, my Dodd contribution was unexpected too. Whether we sense a sigh of relief or an “I have a scream” feeling about what occurs two weeks from now, it is wise to look forward with optimism while continuing to place one foot before the other. It’s time to respect classmates, neighbors, friends, family… even politicians that don’t always see things as we do. All I am saying — it’s time to give political peace a chance.