After a year of campaigning, a single night left half the nation elated, half a little depressed and a third half of this mathematically-challenged land lost and wondering “What next?” To answer that question and give us all something to move on to, the Homeschool Post has opened voting for the Homeschool Blog Awards, ending November 21st. As always, you can find the best in election coverage right here on Principled Discovery, where we’ve never pretended to be unbiased, much less when I am in the running for the Best Current Events, Opinion and Politics category.
Early in the voting, Principled Discovery took a strong lead, beating out the other candidates with 75% of the vote. Asked how this came about, author Dana Hanley answered,
I think I had an early advantage because I am a night owl. The polls opened around midnight while I happened to be chatting with some friends on Twitter. It was exciting to have three of the first four votes cast for me, but I always knew there might be a possibility of more than four voters showing up to the polls.
The fourth vote went to The Common Room. As the rest of the homeschool world woke up, the polling began to even out, doing away with early biases. With only the admonition to “Go Vote,” The Common Room successsfully chipped away at Principled Discovery’s lead and maintained a strong presence in early polling throught the first day. Asked about her unorthodox acceptance speech, the Headmistress, Zookeeper answered:
I think America has tired of campaign rhetoric and promises which cannot possibly be fulfilled. I trust my readers to have the intelligence to figure out who to vote for on election day.
Generation Cedar, although taken by surprise at the unexpected nomination, jumped in with both feet, publishing her first stump speech a little after 8PM. The effect was immediate as loyal readers made their way through long lines and slow page loads to cast their votes, thrusting her past The Common Room and into second place.
Homeschooling seven while on the campaign trail is certain to have its challenges, but we approach everything as a family and rely on God for our strength.
Most surprising about this ballot is the position of perhaps the most well-known figure in American homeschooling: Doug Phillips of Vision Forum.
There is still a long campaign trail ahead, so I wouldn’t rule us out just yet. I think we’ll begin to pick up momentum as readers have a chance to really dig into each blog and make their decisions. At least I hope so, because I really had my eye on that gift certificate and DVD set from Vision Forum.
Homeschool Buzz, best known as a reliable source for headline news affecting homeschooling, has made a direct plea against voter apathy.
There are perhaps 2 million homeschoolers in this country, yet last year’s winner succeeded with only 78.52 votes. Even if they don’t vote, everyone should at least take a moment to get to know the candidates and the issues at stake in this election.
Still trying to figure out who cast 0.52 votes, and if going after half votes would be a viable campaign strategy, Nathaniel Darnell of Persevered promises to do just that this election: persevere. Gathering together an election team on short notice when he wasn’t even aware that it would be necessary proved challenging, but true to form, Nathaniel succeeded in getting his campaign off the ground by 11AM.
Yes, there was a lot of last minute scrambling. After my office received the news, we let out a cheer and immediately got to work. After all, I had 24 categories to look through, five other candidates to assess and 220 words to write before the Persevered campaign could truly be launched. But I’m happy with our efforts and we’ll see how it plays out on the 21st, when the final votes are tallied.
It remains to be seen whether baby pictures will be featured as prominently in this year’s election.
Please note: All quotes in this entry are completely fabricated. Congratulations to all the nominees!
How. Cute.
Congrats!! To you and all of the nominees!
blessings,
J
Funny.
I have to make some attempt…
You are so clever. Good luck, Dana!
Yeah, well, I slipped into second place so it didn’t have quite the effect I was anticipating.
Kudos for a well-humored post
Wish I had a hockey-mom, big-smiling running mate to pull on board 
Couldn’t hurt.
Quite true. Hadn’t thought of finding a good running mate. Will have to contemplate…
Hey great blog, found you via the HSBA and twitter
You got my vote and if you are elected can I be in charge of the Department of Education? 
@mathusee
Hmmm. Another good thought. I can start arranging my cabinet and see if that attracts any `interest. I’m sure I’ll have favors to pass out somehow. Candidates always do.
Great post. You’re in the running for my vote. I’m just not sure I can make it through reading all the blogs that are up for awards. There are more choices than with the election last week!
I loved this part: “At least I hope so, because I really had my eye on that gift certificate and DVD set from Vision Forum.”
You are a riot, Dana.
And you make me look like such a bad homeschooler! Love you!
I’m in the running for your vote, Alison! Woohoo! I’ll have to figure out how to more effectively pander.
And sprittibee, reading your blog has never left me with the impression that you are a “bad” homeschooler. I think we are all more aware of our own shortcomings and how we wish we could improve.
I have to choose between you and The Headmistress? Couldn’t the two of you run as a team? Or would there be an argument about who heads the ticket?
Unfortunately, you have to make a choice. So, uh, what kind of pandering do your respond best to? I sort of ruled out robocalls, but if you like them, I can set one up for you.
How fun… & clever! The choices are indeed difficult, but that just shows the quality we have among home school blogs.
Yes…too much of a choice sometimes. I think I need to purge my Google Reader again. I’m too scared to open it, so I’m not reading as much as I did before if filled up.