I’m home at 10:15 tonight. That’s early arrival these days. Many days now are like yesterday – up at 5:45, out by 6:30 for a 7:00 breakfast forum, spend the morning putting out yard signs, spend the afternoon meeting supporters, drive to Centre County for a televised debate, then arrive home after midnight. I’m reminded of Joe Scarborough’s words of advice in his book Rome Wasn’t Burnt in a Day, “Get up before the other guys, go to bed later, work harder in between, and with the four hours sleep you get each night, dream of ways to win new voters.” I’m taking that advice.

Tonight I attended the Clearfield County Council of Republican Women’s Lincoln Day dinner in Curwensville. I had the opportunity to speak to State Senator Don White, who was the keynote speaker. As he described his first race back in 2000, it sounded very familiar. “I was brand new to politics.” “No one gave me a chance of winning.” “I’d never wanted to be in politics before.” “I just thought things could be done better.” Everything he was saying sounded like my story. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to add one other thing he said: “I came from out of nowhere to win.”

Ours isn’t the flashiest campaign. But this grass roots campaign is still my style. You’ve probably heard that one candidate has spent $1.2 million of his own money in this race, making it one of the most expensive congressional races in the nation. I’ll take our army of grass roots volunteers—I’ll take you—over that style of campaign any day. I’m amazed every day when I meet someone who says, “Oh, yes, someone from your campaign called me,” or “Someone knocked on my door.” Thank you for standing up in this Time for Courage.