Let me give you a little bit of background about me, and my family.

Politics is big in my family. My Great Uncle (may he rest in peace) spent time when he lived outside Chicago on a county board. He later moved to DC, where he spent time inside Johnson's (I think) administration, where he was pretty high up in the Dept. of the Interior. He had a big hand in helping to write and pass the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts.

My Uncle spent almost 20 years in New York City organizing unions and "fighting the good fight".

My family is no stranger to politics. So, when I took an interest at a young age, my mom was not surprised.

My mom has always encouraged my beliefs, while having her own views. She is often too busy to read the paper until 9 or 10 pm, but she reads it every day, she watches the local news at 6 am and 11 pm, and she votes in every election, rain or shine, small or large.

When I first got into politics she started donating money. Always where I wanted that money to go, for the most part. Not a lot, not by any stretch of the imagination, but what she was able to afford.

However, even when we had a family friend from the Temple who was running for office, and I was working for, mom only gave a donation. I dont believe that she has ever volunteered for a candidate in her life.

That is all going to change. Why? Because I took her with me to the meet and greet in Raleigh today for Pat Smathers.

My mom volunteered to drive out to Canton for the big fundraiser in August, and work for Pat.

I was pretty amazed when I heard it. Sure, its a great chance to go out to the mountains for a day or three, but she could do that anytime, she has enough vacation days. But my mom hates driving, and she certainly doesnt like to drive 4-5 hours alone. And yet, in late August, she will be on her way to give her time for Pat Smathers.

And if that doesnt make him worth a long hard look by everyone else, well, you just havent met my mother.