This blog entry by the NYT’s Cate Doty captures pretty well the rhythm of a day out with a candidate, but as unglamorous as she makes it sound, I have to say I’m jealous of whatever campaign she’s covering. Only three events? Mitt has seven today. I’ve been out with McCain on a day with ten. Three would be heaven. She must be with Fred.
Smaller organizations and reporters with no particular set of orders have a very different experience on the trail — bopping from Edwards to Romney to Huckabee to Obama all in one day. It’s more exciting — or at least less repetitive — but that experience has its cliches and headaches as well. Slate’s John Dickerson, one of those on the Hertz campaign, has been documenting his travels for a couple of months now — in addition to doing some really excellent actual reporting. This piece on canvassing with Edwards volunteers is an example of particular fortitude. You can also follow him on Twitter. (I’m Twittering from the trail now, too, if you’re interested: www.twitter.com/anamariecox.)