It's many hours before the crack of dawn. Somehow, I managed to fold in four hours of sleep in last night, which I know is many multitudes of hours more than the campaign staffers got for rest. It's a quiet moment, my car is packed and I am ready to head out for a new election day.How can I say what has brought me here? It started when I agreed to be recruited by an idealistic college student, Jessica, as I handed out brochures at a primary school in Fairfax City last June for Chap Peterson. I wasn't prepared to become a super-volunteer (campaign mom, precinct captain, blogger, media watcher, driver, photographer, you name it), but I don't suppose anyone expects to get terribly involved when they first volunteer. Instead, I found that the message, positions and convictions of the Democratic candidates compelled me to more and more service. Learning the subtleties of the platforms for Tim, Leslie and Creigh bowled me over: these candidates all promote a unified plan that makes sense, that truly offers realistic solutions for maintaining the kind of prosperity and momentum that seemed natural in Virginia. Then when I looked at the plans of the Republican lineup, I began to realize that future progress was not guaranteed--Kilgore, Bolling and McDonnell were candidates willing to squander our long-term prospects for short-term election gains.
I couldn't let that happen.
As I supported my local delegate, Steve Shannon, in seeking reelection, I learned valuable lessons in how to connect with the local electorate--to dance, as they say, with the ones who brought us. I started canvassing whenever time and weather allowed. As I did this, I recalled childhood memories of meeting constituents with my grandfather, who had served as a low level elected official in Boston. In many ways, I feel that he has walked with me as my invisible companion in this election, making me recall the high stake he place on integrity in public service. I can honestly say, I see that same virtue in all of the candidates I became close to in this election season. I also remembered the very personal challenges running a campaign can bring and the huge sacrifices that running for election entails. It all leaves me deeply grateful to our candidates.
So, now it's off to the polls. We'll put up our signs, drink lots of coffee, meet with neighbors, and maybe, if we are lucky, renew someone else's enthusiasm for the simple concept of democracy and participation that makes all of us stakeholders in the American Dream.
Please vote for Tim Kaine, Leslie Byrne, Creigh Deeds and your local Democratic Delegate candidate today. Here at Raising Kaine, we have told you many reasons why our candidates are good and worthy of your support over the campaign season. Now, we can only hope that you follow up on this.