I met Daschle after an event he hosted at the Center for American Progress with famed political analyst Charlie Cook. The evening was one in a series appropriately titled “Conversations with Tom Daschle” in which the Center brings in various political actors to discuss current issues with young people as part of its Campus Progress initiative.

Cook analyzed the current election environment and made predictions for November, though he emphasized that much can change in the next twenty days. He stressed the importance of focus, claiming that the success of both parties depends largely on what issues are in the spotlight at the time of the election. As Cook sees it, the chaos in Iraq and the scandals plaguing the Republican Party will play out well for Democrats, who are already in an advantageous position as a minority party in a midterm election. He said that this election is shaping up as one of those unique years in which national events and extraordinary circumstances contradict the maxim that “all politics is local” and lead to a landslide for one party. Cook’s analysis was interesting and insightful, and I was once again impressed with the genuine excitement that surrounds politics in this city.

Still, I was most affected by the message Daschle imparted as he ended the evening: the importance of voting. It is easy to get lost in election analysis and punditry. However, we cannot forget that all Americans, from Washington DC to Washington state, are the ones who cast the ballots. Though polls may be predictive, it is ultimately the individual decision of every citizen that determines the outcome on Election Day. So as you read the news and think about the candidates, remember that analysts are studying your behavior, and that you have both the privilege and responsibility to decide what issues matter to you when you vote. Daschle recounted the tale of his first election, when he won by only 110 votes. Yet another reminder that every vote counts, so don’t forget to cast yours.