A charming reader -- who will be nameless, as I did not get permission to publish the e-mail in question -- has made an unexpected and intriguing suggestion. Rather than nominate a favorite local "character" or potential plot twist for future narratives, this flattering person directed me to the write-in results for the 2005 election, where I was enormously bounced to find that no less than three Arlington voters had written your humble servant in as their selection for County Board. My correspondent was prepared to circulate the notion again this fall, at the grass-roots level if you will.What am I to think of this? One is so little a public person, and yet one's heart cannot help beating a little faster at the thought of a boldly stenciled "Barcroft for Board" signboard among the glossier placards at the entry to the polls. And then there is the cachet of dynasty; one would not be the first "J. Barcroft" to be so drafted by the voting public, and one thinks of the great names of American political succession -- Adams; Roosevelt; umm.... Bush. Well.
Am I foolish to dandle such dreams of empire? To stand, even anonymously, for public office, and ride in triumph through Persepolis!
