For the last nine months, I’ve worn my political heart on my
sleeve and today should be no different.
I am disappointed. I had spent the last week feeling very happy
about the possibility of John Kerry as president. As last night
wore on, it was hard to stay optimistic, though I tried. The ups
and downs of this entire year seemed to be shoved into one
draining night. And then, it was just over.
I once saw author Toni Morrison on Oprah (Yes, I’ve been known
to watch Oprah) and she said, “Love is a risk that brave people
take.” I think I could say the same about politics today. For
myself, my new wife, and many of my friends, this was our
“coming of age” election. We were all deeply invested in this
one. Our emotions ran high throughout the year and I had many
spirited discussions with political allies and opponents.
There is a certain hope that comes with the possibility of
change. And for many of us, we felt in the end we would prevail
because truth would transcend polls and rhetoric.
The emotional investment many of us have made in our candidate
and our party over the last year should not be forgotten. And I
cannot even begin to speak for the hundreds of thousands of
people who took to the streets and gave their hearts to this
effort. Three years ago George Bush was a lock for reelection
with a 93% approval rating. While he did win, it was not a
resounding victory, nor was it a mandate from the American
people.
So many people worked so hard to make this election the close
affair that it was. We should take our time to mourn, lick our
wounds, whatever. But don’t feel like it was all for nothing. We
were off by a couple of percentage points. If we walk away from
this fight now, we will not make up those 2-3 percentage points
with the rest of America.
The most important thing we can do now is keep ourselves
informed. There was a lot of high talk from all politicians
today about healing this rift and coming together. Let’s hold
them to this. In the coming weeks, a new supreme court justice
may be chosen. We cannot accept partisanship in this matter. Our
ability to move this democracy lies in comunicating with our
senators and congressmen.
That is what we can do to remain engaged and active. And we can
keep talking with each other. I loved the political dialogue we
had going this past year. Among my close friends, I felt like a
number of us came out of our political shells and can now
participate in the process with thought and passion.
Thank you to anybody who listened to me. These emails were my
tiny contribution. In hindsight I wish I had done more.
rob