Five colleges in five days, 3 states, 688 miles, 8 TV news stations. Sounds like a Real World speaking tour, or maybe American Idol auditions, but no, this is the past week on the Project Vote Smart Bus Tour. We started Monday at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL (right near Normal), moved to the University of Illinois Springfield on Tuesday, Washington University of St. Louis on Wednesday, Missouri Southern State University on Thursday, and rounded off the week at Oklahoma University in Norman, OK.

Reception among students was generally positive. Missouri Southern State U. was very interested in what we had to offer and came out to the bus despite record cold weather in Joplin, MO. I had never heard of Joplin, MO before, but was glad to have stopped there. The Sooners came out in large numbers and most students seemed to be interesting in checking out the website and learning more about what we have to offer. Light-up pens aren't bad either.

I am thrilled by all the media attention we have been getting. In total, 21 different media outlets- newspapers, radio, TV- covered us this week. I'm getting better at doing interviews. All of this attention shows that there is a real thirst for this information in our country.

I'm ready for some warm weather.

Peace, Tony Boehm