We won yesterday. (Feels so good to write that.) As my girlfriend and I waited and waited for Florida results, Ohio, Virginia, knowing that Obama may just eek out a victory of a few percentage points in each swing state, or lose by just a few. I couldn't help but think of those still in line hours after the polls closed. (Yeah, Mr. President, we have to fix that.) I thought of the woman who broke her leg in line, and still voted (are you kidding me). (http://www.dailykos.com/...)
Or the woman who was about to give birth, but stopped on the way to the hospital to vote. (http://www.dailykos.com/...) They added their vote to mine; they supported my ideas, my hopes, they supported me. The Native Americans in North Dakota who have much more right to be bitter and disengaged then I ever did, they supported me. (http://www.dailykos.com/...)
The military and police who've had my back in ways I don't even know about added to my voice. The nurses and teachers who've been kicked and had their careers terminated to make way for tax cuts for the rich stood with me. According to Chuck Todd, the Puerto Ricans in Florida were a key factor. I don't know who they are, didn't know they were there, and even they stood in line for me. Gracias.
Looking behind me, there's a drag queen who, somewhat disturbingly, I thought was very attractive, may be wondering why their civil rights are up for a popular vote. A woman a little to old to be sporting the goth look; she's got me covered. Farmers in states I had considered “flyover” they taught me just what the farm bill means, and they supported my choice. (http://www.youtube.com/...)
And a special mic check to the filthy Occupy Wall Street protesters who changed the dialogue from austerity and deficits to income inequality. Not satisfied, they are helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy. (http://www.dailykos.com/...) It's nice to know you've got tent space should I need it. I just wish I knew what it is they wanted, I mean come on, what are your demands.
On Wisconsin. I can still hear the drums of the protesters in Wisconsin who, in my humble opinion, started it all. http://www.youtube.com/...) Screw you Paul Ryan, and Scott Walker, I'm sticking with the Union (http://www.dailykos.com/...). Speaking of unions, the unions always had my back, and thank god for that, but the CEO of Chysler giving workers the day off to go vote, maybe, just maybe, he supports me. Environmentalists pounding their head against the wall to warn about climate disruption, they showed up. Women, who didn't even know that there are many different types of rape, they got out of their binders and they were behind me too. Janitors and cleaners and service employees, they created the SEIU, and they not only voted, but they got out the vote. Broadway performers who I don't know anything about, except that they can really belt out a tune, they lent their voices to my effort. (http://www.onetermmore.com/...)
And, oh my god they really are tall, I think I see the Miami Heat, a team I've never rooted for, but they sure got game. (http://www.carltonjordan.com/...) As do the Phoenix Suns http://www2.tbo.com/...
And to the millions upon millions more. They're all behind me, because they've got my back. And if they look carefully behind themselves, they'll see a middle aged white guy with glasses fighting a middle age paunch, just doing what he can, including writing a diary for the first time, I've got your back too. Because we are all in this together. And together I think we can all move forward. Thank you, thank every single one of you.