By Richard Leib, Elkhart Truth

I’d like to offer some brief non-political impressions of a few political folks.

A little over a week ago I went to a ribbon-cutting at the new “Republican Victory Center” out on South Nappanee Street in Elkhart. A “Victory Center” is what we used to call a campaign headquarters.

Anyone could have gone, of course, but there were only about a hundred people there on that hot Saturday. Those who did come had a unique opportunity to check out some political heavy-hitters in a down-home casual situation. (There were even free smoothies and chocolate chip cookies.)

Although there were a number of state politicians there, I think people had mainly come for the big names: Pence, Walorski and Mourdock.

As I’m sure you know, Mike Pence wants to be our next governor; Jackie Walorski is running for the U.S. House of Representatives; and Richard Mourdock is seeking a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Here are some off-the-cuff impressions:

Mike Pence is very much what you would expect. No surprises there. He looks like a governor, walks like a governor and talks like a governor. With his experience, the learning curve would be very flat. He’s ready for the keys to 4750 N. Meridian Street in Indy, if the voters offer them.

Jackie Walorski is a bundle of energy. And though that will not come as a surprise to anyone who’s heard her speeches, it may be surprising to many how genuinely personable she is. In a meet-and-greet venue, she bounces around the room and leaves everyone with a smile.

Jackie seems to be a smart lady, in addition to being socially comfortable in a crowd. I think having her in the House of Representatives would be a hoot. Putting her in the same room with Nancy Pelosi could definitely become sound bite-laden entertainment. It would be an “SNL” skit just waiting to happen.

Richard Mourdock is a bit of an enigma for me. I’ve heard so many stories pro and con about this guy that I was eager to meet him and try to sort out my feelings.

The Democratic opposition seems to feel that Mourdock is going to be an easy guy to defeat. His rigid conservative pronouncements have allowed his opponent to paint him as a cross between Don Quixote and Hagar the Horrible. 

But I’ve talked to many who have met him, and they say he is really a very nice guy. And his supporters think he’s a knight in shining armor. They believe he’ll stand by his word and not crumble when a battle becomes difficult. “Finally,” they say, “here is someone who is what he says he is.”

Mourdock slurped a strawberry smoothie while he waited for his turn to speak. And when he spoke he was humble and very emotional. That surprised me. I expected a more flinty personality. 

I talked with him briefly and asked about his famous no-compromise statement. He said he was talking about principles, and he believed that principles should not be compromised. It was a subject I would have liked to pursue, but this wasn’t the occasion. Not enough time and too many awe-struck fans.

Being up close and personal with folks has an effect on one’s perception that is different than what results from our usual exposures to candidates. Vibes and observations are picked up that are not available in the planned and canned images of a structured TV debate.

Who you vote for, or even if you vote, is your business. But as the campaign grinds along toward E-Day in November, if you have an opportunity to check out candidates in the flesh, I recommend doing so.

Non-political impressions of political folks can make the whole process feel a lot more real.

Former Elkhart furniture store owner Richard Leib has served on planning committees in several industries. An avid auto fan, he raced in the 1972 coast-to-coast Cannonball Run. He has written on a wide range of subjects.