Big and Bigger News

This week starts with news best termed as big and bigger.

The first news which I will call "big" is that I am in consideration for endorsement by the Independence Caucus. I was contacted by them a few months ago and everything I have learned about them since has been positive. After completing a very thorough candidate questionnaire, I am on to the next step in the vetting process. Given the Caucus's positions on fiscal conservatism and tax reform, even being considered for endorsement by them is a great compliment. The next step is a teleconference interview. Once that is complete I will post more here.

Now for the "bigger" news. On Saturday, October 10, 2009, I proposed marriage to my long-time girlfriend, Paige Soule'. I am glad to report that she said yes. I asked her during a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. We were in front of a 1877 painting by Gustave Caillebotte called Paris Street; Rainy Day. Trying to be romantic, I told Paige I liked that painting because it was in front of it that I asked her to marry me. As she looked at me with blank confusion, I got down on one knee and produced a ring with a diamond in it that once belonged to her grandmother. I was surprised to hear others in the gallery applaud when she said yes. One bystander even offered to e-mail a photo she took of us.

Some would question the wisdom of my proposing marriage in the middle of a campaign for election to the US Senate. Quite simply it was the best time. Ms. Soule' is currently in the process of adopting a child from Haiti and her life is about to get much busier than mine. With her getting settled in to her new role as mother and me continuing to seek a position on the ballot in February, we have not yet set a date for the wedding. The hope is, of course, our wedding will get to take place in Washington DC sometime around the end of 2010.