The first election I remember was 1968. I was 7 and a dedicated Republican. Even at that age I understood the gravity of the situation: If Hubert Humphrey was elected we would have to go to school on Saturdays. I was more sophisticated by the 1972 election. My 6th grade class held a mock campaign. Still a Republican and unnaturally knowledgeable of the issues, my peers chose me to portray Richard Nixon.