Meet the object of affection of three candidates for the Washington County Commission: a pig.

Nate Wooley, Tim Irvine and Joe Matthews each had to task of collecting donations for the fair Monday morning...with the least successful fund-raiser having the dubious distinction of planting a peck on this porker.

For Matthews, it was an uphill battle.

"This thing started at 9:00 this morning, and is supposed to end at noon," Independent candidate Matthews said late Monday morning. "The midway doesn't even open until 12:00 (noon), so there aren't very many people here right now. It's pretty slim pickins."

The others, however were undaunted. Irvine, in fact was well prepared.

"If I'm the one who has the kiss the pig, I brought a toothbrush, toothpaste, and some cologne," the Republican said. "And if I don't have to kiss the pig, I brought it lunch, which consists of a can of sardines."

And Wooley was looking forward to the event.

"My kids are here, and wanted to see me do it," said Democrat Wooley. "I'm not sure there's a way to kiss a pig. I'm just glad they're putting lipstick on him."

In the end, Matthews had the low total...and had to plant one on the pig...which, at first, was a bit apprensive.

But Matthews did so, not once...not twice...but three times.

And the other candidates followed suit.

After all, that's what politics is all about: shaking hands and kissing...babies.