Bypassing the Senator

I was conducting a canvass training session long ago (when I was very young), explaining to volunteers how to talk to voters about the election.

During the session, Peter Bensinger, our endorsed candidate for Cook County Sheriff, arrived to make a brief stump speech. Accompanying him was U.S. Senator Charles Percy, whom we hadn’t expected.

So, at the first opportunity to break from the training regimen, I introduced – Bensinger. He made a few inspiring comments and was followed by Sen. Percy, who spoke elegantly about how important it was to elect the candidate. Then they left and I resumed the training.

Afterward, an older colleague sent a scolding look in my direction. I had committed a serious gaffe by introducing the candidate first. The Senator - the celebrity - should have been first and he should have introduced the candidate.

I didn’t know that.