Presidents, Politics, the 2008 Election and Martha’s Vineyard

This past summer, and now this fall, have been especially full of political talk. The Vineyard has surely been a Democratic strong hold - known for visits from the Clinton’s and extravagant fundraisers. Perhaps because of the tight primary race, this August was the first in several years that the Bill, Hilary and Chelsea Clinton didn’t make their annual trip for President Clinton’s birthday bash, replete with gold and stop at the West Tisbury Ag Fair.

In the summer of 2007, Barack Obama enjoyed a fundraiser on his behalf, and there were strong rumors he would return this past summer. I received calls from his staff to arrange his lodging, but they changed their destination to his home state of Hawaii for the 2008 trip.

Interestingly, the political and election buzz, dropped down past the usual ‘adult’ suspects this year. College students were more eager to participate then I’ve ever witnessed, and they were busy trying to decide if they should register here or where they attend college, in an effort to pick the help their candidate. Many of these Vineyard kids are Massachusetts born and raised, and Massachusetts is a blue state, and these students, able to vote for the first time wanted to lend their vote to a swing state if possible.

Looks like it worked!