An unfamiliar sound this morning, when the timed thermostat hit 6:00. The heat came on! 'Tis the season ...

One of the joys of living in Virginia are the changes of the seasons. Spring and Fall are my favorites. Both feature weather that's beautiful and invigorating.

Of course, this Fall is very unusual in the Old Dominion -- because the presidential candidates are actually paying attention to us! For the first time since 1964, the commonwealth is competitive, with candidates' visits, TV ads, the whole bit.

It's motivated me to begin re-reading Doris Kearns Goodwin's masterful book Team of Rivals, which is about the election of 1860, and then the dynamics of those in Lincoln's cabinet, which he formed by including in it his rivals for the presidential nomination! In one passage, Goodwin writes:

"This, then, is a story of Lincoln's political genius revealed through his extraordinary array of personal qualities that enabled him to form friendships with men who had previously opposed him; to repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into permanent hostility; to assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; to share credit with ease; and to learn from mistakes. He possessed an acute understanding of the sources of power inherent in the presidency, an unparalleled ability to keep his governing coalition intact, a tough-minded appreciation of the need to protect his presidential prerogatives, and a masterful sense of timing. His success in dealing with the strong egos of the men in his cabinet suggests that in the hands of a truly great politician the qualities we generally associate with decency and morality -- kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy -- can also be impressive political resources."

I pray that this might describe the president we will elect in a few weeks.