I know there will be more than one diary about this. But so be it, because I need to write my own diary on this.
I'm not going to waste any words about where the president and I have disagreed in the past or where we most certainly will in the future. There will be plenty of time for that when we re-elect Barack Obama tomorrow night.
But I DO need to say in no uncertain terms, that I'll miss this man on the stump. I'll miss this man and his passion, and the way his energy casts a spell, and draws in Democrats like moths to a flame.
Tonight he told that beloved old story of 2008. The one about "Fired up, ready to go." And I'm not afraid to tell y'all it brought tears to my eyes, and memories of such hope and promise. And if all those hopes weren't satisfied in just 4 years, well friends, that's life.
It's been hard for many here in these last years. Hard for many of us to watch the republican party systemically deny this man and our country a chance to move forward faster than we have. And yes indeedy, they have done so at every turn. Don't EVER confuse your disappointment with Obama, with the treachery of the right, unless you want to strum their guitar for them.
And it's been hard sometimes to explain to friends on the left, why you still respect this man, even if he's done some things you disagree with. And it was hard to watch what happened on this site before and during the mid terms, when we lost faith and gave into impatience.
And it's been hard to give up those halcyon days of 2008, and the early weeks and months of Obama's administration. Hard to be forced to bite into the reality of things, the way the president had to. Hard to see the president occasionally stumble, and struggle to set things right again. Hard to see the president and us, have to face the totality of the mendacity and ill will of the opposition party. When I look back, it still shocks me. Probably shocked him too.
But tonight it WASN'T hard for me to see why I've stuck with this man through thick and thin. Tonight it wasn't hard to know why I'll vote for him first thing in the am, probably teary as I do. Tonight it wasn't hard to know why this president has spoken to me like no other president of my life time.
Tonight Barack Obama said good bye to the campaign trail with great heart and passion. He tipped his hat to the people of Iowa, who first led him out and down that yellow brick road to the American Oz---the White house.
And he reminded me once again that hope is NOT dead, contrary to common wisdom. He reminded me that that hopey changey thing has done all right by me and my loved ones. He reminded me that patience and humility are the only honest underbelly of hope. Otherwise this whole thing is about Santa, not a president.