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Thank You Howard Dean

A little over five years ago, my intense but private political interest became an active obsession.  I was frustrated and worried by the George W. Bush “victory” in the 2000 election and by a war of little value and of even less justification..  Early in the 2004 Presidential campaign, I heard a speech by Dr. Howard Dean.  What I want to know, he said, is why so many Democrats are supporting George Bush’s war in Iraq.  I wanted to know too.  Looking into Dean’s record as the former Governor of Vermont, my attention intensified when I learned that Gov. Dean had led the state that gave gays and lesbians a first step toward equal rights via civil unions.  We were facing a gay marriage amendment to the Georgia Constitution, and I was offended and infuriated by the bigotry and hate of my fellow Georgians.

I had never before been active in any political campaign.  But I went to a Howard Dean meetup and found the energy, compassion and company of like-minded volunteers infectious and inspiring.  It was so “un-American” at that time to question President Bush or to be of the opinion that <gasp!> war is neither good nor the answer.  It was cathartic to sit at Manuel’s Tavern and talk about such things over a beer with people who, like me, would ultimately organize and work for Gov. Dean’s campaign.

Gov. Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign started what Sen. Barack Obama and his campaign have now finished.  Dean for America pioneered the idea of a broadly distributed, loosely organized campaign where individual groups around the country operated with autonomy.  The national campaign sent out requests for support on specific campaign strategies, details on positions and appeals for action through canvassing, phone banking, and fundraising events (so many of them “house parties” held in private homes of ordinary people).

As importantly, and perhaps ultimately more importantly, the Internet was exploited as a campaign tool as never before.  Blogging was a brand-new concept back then.  I wrote my first posts ever on the Georgia for Dean blog, and even was honored with a post or two on the national blog.  As you can see, blogging became a habit that I cannot break. Today, the Dean for America community lives on as Democracy for America, as does Georgia for Dean, which is now Georgia for Democracy.

As a volunteer for Georgia for Dean, I met some of the most amazing people I’ve ever encountered.  Many were brilliant.  Most worked hard, sometimes to the detriment of paying work or other basic needs like sleep.  All were committed, sincere and passionate about changing the direction of our country. Many people whom I now consider to be my closest friends were met at Dean meetups and Georgia for Dean activities.  My friend Brian led Out for Dean Georgia.  He does not like this title, but I tell him he is my personal hero.  Brian was discharged from the U.S. Army because he is gay–after serving in Afghanistan (and many other tours of duty) as a bomb technician who protected our troops by defusing and destroying IEDs and other bombs.  (You can read my post about Brian here.)  My friend David was responsible for the blog for Out for Dean Georgia and was active generally with Georgia for Dean.  He is a true friend.  I love him and trust him with my life.  My friend Kimberly is one of the most brilliant PR professionals I’ve ever met.  I respect her greatly and value her insight on both political issues and general PR/marketing issues, where we share a similar vocation.  I have great fondness and respect for many others I first met through Dean for Georgia.  We didn’t all get along all the time.  We disagreed, sometimes heatedly, on strategy and tactics.  But we had a common goal, and today we all celebrate together. More »

If You’re Out There, John Legend Will Inspire You

Recording artist John Legend appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO Friday night, and performed his Obama-inspired song, “If You’re Out There” to close out Maher’s last pre-election show.  As he did in his performance at the Democratic National Convention, Legend’s beautiful song gave me goosebumps.  With election day less than 24 hours away, I’m posting a video of Legend performing “If You’re Out There” to inspire you.  You can also download a copy of the song for free from Legend’s page on Barack Obama’s Website.  If you’re out there, take a look or a listen, be inspired, and get out and vote tomorrow.

Keep Donna Brazile Out of Georgia

On ABC’s  This Week with George Stephanopoulos today, Democratic strategist and political analyst Donna Brazile indicated that there is the possibility of a runoff in the U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and his Democratic challenger, former Georgia state Rep. Jim Martin.  If that happens, she said, “I will be in Georgia.”

As much as I would love to have Donna Brazile visit us, I say we make her trip unnecessary by giving Jim Martin an outright victory.  Let’s send Jim to Washington, and let poor Donna have a rest after a long campaign season.  Do what you can to support Jim Martin by voting for him on Tuesday, volunteering to help the Martin for Senate campaign, or making a contribution to help Martin fight the Republican smear campaign by Chambliss and his Republican surrogates.

Donna, I would love to meet you, but I’d prefer you come to Georgia under different circumstances.

Democratic National Convention Was Mission Accomplished

With all the media hype about a throw-down between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, you would have thought the Democratic National Convention was going to devolve into an episode of American Gladiators.  Yet despite the flames not only fanned, but in some cases actually lit by the media, the Democrats pulled off a masterpiece.  The cattiness of Hillary Clinton and her supporters the was supposed to provide the drama never materialized.  Clinton reminded any supporters who still resisted taking that chip off their shoulder were asked to consider if their support was about Hillary, or about a better future and an end to Republican mismanagement.  After awhile, the media’s endless drum beat for Hillary v. Obama began to ring very hollow.

One after another, speakers stood before delegates and made an arguably air-tight case for why Barack Obama is the better choice for the presidency.  Every weak, diversionary argument the Republicans have made were countered by an equal and opposite reality.  Efforts to paint Obama as elite were rebutted with stories of his modest life as a child of a single mother, going to college on scholarships and loans as many of us do.  Accusations of elitism began to crumble in the days leading up to the convention, when John McCain was unable to answer a question that most Americans would answer, “One,” or “None.”  McCain has no idea how many houses he owns.  So, who are we supposed to consider the elite candidate in this election?

The accusation that Obama does not have the experience to be president were met with reminders that the founder of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln, was elected President with roughly the same experience Obama has now–a stint in the Illinois state legislature and part of one term in Congress.  Bill Clinton reminded us that the same arguments were used against him when he first ran, accepting his party’s nomination when he was two years younger than Obama is today. Assumptions of a close election were answered by Al Gore, who stated the obvious that among young voters, most active in politics for the first time, Obama has a considerable advantage.

And in the Democrat’s grand finale, the acceptance speech in front of 80,000 in a football stadium, Obama’s speech was no less than perfection.  The “rock star” environment, often used as a slur by Republicans, was masterfully managed with the counterpoint of Obama’s humility, the added meat of the policy specifics that provided the substance many tried to paint as lacking, and point-by-point counterpoints for all the arguments the McCain camp has made against him.  Obama even bravely took on the hot button issues that have divided this country for more than a generation:  gun control, abortion, gay rights–he challenged virtually every issue that separates us with a call for compassion, community and common ground.  Tears welled up when he challenged homophobia head-on, in front of millions watching on TV and online, saying:

I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothrs and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in a hospital and live their lives free of discrimination…  This too is part of America’s promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.

Obama proved to be the master orator we had seen before, but not just for soaring rhetoric.  There was sizzle, and steak to energize the masses.  With an estimated 38 millioin watching on TV and 80,000 seeing history in person, Obama knocked it out of the park.  I woke up this morning with a hope hangover.  All  observers, no matter their politics, are giving Obama his due today.  It’s too bad Democrats didn’t take the opportunity for irony.  In addition to fireworks and streamers, there should have been a banner unfurled in Denver, reading: Mission Accomplished.