Discrimination is not always a bad thing, particularly when it involves casting a vote. Unlike some people, I have a memory that allows me to recall words and actions that have occurred more than two weeks ago. This is especially useful when I am trying to determine which candidate will address my needs and concerns best.

Equally important, I look at how politicians or political hopefuls interact with me and/or others. I find that this is also very telling. To be fair, such individuals have to spend much of their time wearing a diplomatic mask, which is understandable and necessary. Nevertheless, I want to get a glimpse of these people when the mask is not in place. For me, the character of the person is as important as his experience and ideas.

My friends know that I supported Mitt Romney for president. I thought and still do think that he is true presidential material. But, he is also a class act. I attended his Super Tuesday speech last year at the Boston Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. At the end of it, he was approached by a number of people.

I found myself amongst one group of supporters who were virtually all attempting to get as close to Romney as possible. I was not as aggressive as some of the others. I simply stood in place. However, I can tell you that Mitt Romney did shake everyone's hand, including mine. In fact, he made a point of making sure that he did not leave anyone out.

Contrast this with some of our politicians. Their words and actions often show a level of disdain towards their constituency or each other. John Murtha notoriously called many of those who voted for him "rednecks." During the New Hampshire debate, Obama declared Hillary "likable enough."

Then, there are the political hopefuls. One would think that they would make an even greater effort to be gracious towards others as they do not even have the position for which they are campaigning. Sadly, this is not true; in Boston, evidence of this has become apparent as candidates make appearances as well as appeals before September elections. Ayanna Pressley, a candidate for Boston City Councillor-at- Large, is one such individual who personifies this unfortunate phenomenon.

I have been around this woman on several occasions. On two of them, she pointedly ignored me. On the first occasion, there was less than a handful of people; everyone talked to me, with the exception of her. More recently, she approached a group of which I was a part and spoke with everyone except me. At a "Candidates Forum" for Boston City Councillor-at-Large candidates, that took place on June 23, 2009, Ms. Pressley expressed her dislike of several of the ideas mentioned with a grimace.

I actually think that Ms. Pressley is a polished speaker, who has a clear facility for articulating her ideas. Nonetheless, I am not impressed with her otherwise. I consider several factors before casting my vote for someone. I do appreciate someone who knows about presentation. But, as stated above, I consider the candidate's experience and plans for office as well as his etiquette.

It is not that Ms. Pressley was rude towards me. It is that she would be discourteous towards anybody. I disliked the face that she pulled upon hearing another candidate's ideas as much as I disliked her behavior towards me. What political figures need to realize is that being gracious not only keeps you in office, but, in the case of Ms. Pressley, it also gets you there.