Search Form
First, enter a politician or zip code ▶
Now, choose a category ▶

Media

Blog

The Voter’s Speakeasy featuring unbiased reporting and insight into life at Vote Smart from our staff, interns, and volunteers.

September Common Ground E-Newsletter

2013 October 10

Springing a Leak
 

by Hannah Stewart

We've all noticed that the mornings have been a little darker, and inevitably a
little colder lately, especially here at the Ranch. The prospect of winter
arriving soon means that a lot of things need to get done here at the Great
Divide Ranch in preparation for the inches of snow that we get every year.
Sealing the windows, chopping wood, getting the boiler prepared, bringing in the
canoes...let's just say that our Maintenance Director, Steve, has a lot on his
plate. Of course, problems do arise, but we deal with them, and this brings to
mind the one rather major event we encountered at the very beginning of this
year..

Here at Project Vote Smart we have a lot of experience of wading through crap,
but no politician could have prepared us for the real thing. Spring had not yet
sprung when the septic tank sprung its own leak and flooded part of our lodge.
Luckily, Adams' cabins are empty during the winter, and with the impressive and
diligent work of Steve and our interns, we managed to clean up and get our
cabins back on track before the lodge, and our septic tank, filled up for the
summer.

The staff and interns on ranch had to learn to rough it for a night with no
water, no showers, and no toilets, but we managed to survive! We even turned the
limitations into a fun experience, and the ranch staff and interns had a ...

Read More

Tags

More Posts

Arizona Special Election CD-8, June 12, 2012

2012 June 11


Challenges in Arizona: the Special Election in CD-8

2012 February 14

Following the resignation of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona was faced with a unique situation in holding elections to replace the former Congresswoman.

Oregon major party candidates lacking political courage

2012 January 09

We released the 2012 Political Courage Test results today for Oregon's special election showing neither major party congressional candidate running for the state's 1st Congressional District seat was willing to answer even the most basic issue-related questions addressed inside the Test.

Iowa has spoken

2012 January 05

As expected, the Iowa Caucus, the first nominating contest of the 2012 election season, proved to shake things up inside the GOP race.

Analysis of the 2009 General Election

2009 November 13 - Kristen Vicedomini

And You Thought Election Season Was Exciting...

2009 September 24 - Kristen Vicedomini

PCT Results - CA District 10, Special Election

2009 August 28 - Bonnie

California Special Congressional Election, District 10 Update

2009 August 14 - sara

Shufflings in Congress

2009 July 16 - Kristen Vicedomini

Skip to top

Help us stay free for all your Fellow Americans

Just $5 from everyone reading this would do it.

1
Select an amount
2
How often
3
Payment details

Thank You!

You are about to be redirected to a secure checkout page.

Please note:

The total order amount will read $0.01. This is a card processor fee. Please know that a recurring donation of the amount and frequency that you selected will be processed and initiated tomorrow. You may see a one-time charge of $0.01 on your statement.

Continue to secure page »

1
Select an amount
2
How often
3
Payment details
Back to top