Jennifer Wagner / Special to IBJ

It’s hard not to want to show—instead of just telling—a young person that she can do the same things boys can when she grows up.

How is it possible that a group of 12-year-olds can handle disagreement and debate better than many of our adult elected officials in Washington?

If the person with whom you’re negotiating gives you what you want, take the win and move on.

You have to raise enough money to show that you’re a serious contender. Once you hit that mark, and you’re able to pay for a poll that shows a path to victory, those who guard the gold are willing to give you the time of day and invest in your race.

When politics becomes politics as usual, bad things happen, especially as media outlets that employ paid government watchdogs continue to cut their rosters.

How do you boil down something so horrific … for an 11-year-old who doesn’t yet understand international political alliances or diplomatic differences?

The words uttered on stage matter far less than the theatrics of the performance.