GROUND GAME: I mentioned William Patterson’s new biography of Heinlein, earlier, but here’s a quote that’s particularly relevant with the election coming up. It’s from Heinlein’s post-mortem of his lost election for California State Assembly, which he lost by fewer than 400 votes:
In the post-mortem I was able to tabulate names of more people than that who were personal acquantances of mine, had promised me support — but did not vote . . . Forty election-day volunteers could have swung the district.
Boots on the ground . . . .
UPDATE: Five Reasons Not To Get Cocky.