The title is military lingo. It became common in Vietnam (where I did not go during my service contemporaneous with that conflict), because people had fixed terms of service - 12 month tours for the Army, 13 for the Marines. Individuals began counting down the number of full days, with the final bit being waking up and getting on the big bird to go home.
As the campaigns begin to wind down, people begin to remark on commonalities between campaigns and military conflicts. Jim has himself used terminology like this, as I heard him do on Thursday during the host reception for Michael J. Fox and Gen. Wes Clark.
Because I do not expect to be around a computer most of the day, at least not until late evening, this diary functions partially as an explanation, partially as a reflection and looking back, and partially a brief glimpse ahead. Come along for the read.
First the apology - I will not be able to read many of the fine diaries that will be posted over the next few days. It is my normal practice to at least glance at diaires every few waking hours to see if there is any merit to them. And if I perceive any I try to leave at least a recommend, because In understand the need for poster to feel that someone is reading what they write, and because I want to acknowledge the work. I will over the next 3 days and a wakeup have little time for that. If I do not acknowledge the fine work done by many here, I hope you will understand why.
Looking back, first at the near term. It has become increasingly exhausting even as it has become equally axciting. For those of us in the Webb campaign there is the real sense that we are going to pull this off, something that when Jim first declared seemed like the longest of long shots. He announced back on February 8, having been convinced by a variety of people. It certainly did not hurt that he had been recruited in the past by Senator John Warner, although that was to run as a Republican, that his good friend former Senator Bob Kerrey had tried to get him to run. But it was the net roots that was able to convince him, among other things by starting a draft Jim Webb movement (which if it sounds similar to the efforts with Wes Clark should not surprise since Lowkell had been involved in that as well). It got something around 1,000 people to pledge something over $40,000, and that helped convince Jim to run. But there was a well-funded party activist already in the race who had many endorsements, there were some missteps as the campaign got going. Ultimately none of that mattered, because of the quality and integrity of Jim Webb, and because of the loyalty and dedication of his volunteers. We won a primary held about 100 days after entering the race, and have gone forward since then. Yes, we had endorsements by Chuck Schumer and John Kerry and retired military officials and other Senators - some of this did help in the primary. So did the dedication of public officials who got on board early - former Congresswoman and State Senator and Lt. Gov. nominee Leslie Byrne, Alrington County officials Frank O'Leary and especially Ingrid Morroy, to name just a few. The endorsement by Don McEachin was especially helpful. And our win on June 13 was especially pleasing - for me I had just returned from my commitment at Yearlykos for the last day before the primary feeling a bit guilty about taking the time off I did, but at least made up for it with over 1`00 GOTV phone calls on primary day.
Looking back more recently - there are far too many events upon which I could reflect. I have through my postings offered some sharing of my experience during this campaign. Because of my commitment to my teaching and parallel duties (including coaching, serving on several community boards) my participation in the campaign has certainly been neither as extensive nor as noteworthy as that of others, some of whom have shared their experiences online, others of whom toiol away without taking the time to post online, even a comment on a thread. I have tried in what I post to give a sense of the lay of the land, of the experience of being part of something very special.
Last night I went to an American Legion Hall for the first time in my life. Yes, in high school I was a medal winner in the American Legion Oratorical contest on the Constitution. It's interesting that all three medalists have been politically active. Tom Horne is the Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction in AZ having attended Harvard. Royal Massett is a major Republican political consultant in Texas, having attended Princeton. I yours truly, who took 10 years to get through Haverford in part because unlike the other two I did a stint (in the Marines) in the military, have been in and out of political activities from local to presidential campaigns over the past 30+ years.
The event yesterday was Reveille III. This is national effort to raise awareness of the needs of veterans, especially homeless veterans. The local Legion Post hosted the event - the beer was free, although most of us contributed. There was no requirement to donate, although many of us did. It was officially not a political event, although the local Republican candidate for Congress was there (he is a veteran), and there were representatives for Congressman Tom Davis (a big supporter of veterans) Allen, Webb and also a member of the Arlington County Board, Jay Fisette, who as it happens is the grandson of an Admiral.
People ranged in age from a 92 year old who still practices law to a young lady currently on active duty in the Navy.
There were a few stickers for the Republican congressional candidate. There were NONE for Sen. Allen. About 1/3-1/2 of the people present were wearing stickers for Webb. Yes, we made an effort to show up, but we had people asking us for lapel and bumper stickers. Veterans seem to grasp that Jim is better on issues of importance for many veterans.
One anecdote from last night. I had occasion to chat with someone that I cannot further identify but who works for a Republican public official whose family has known Ollie North for many decades and as a result has always been on the opposite side. They cannot publicly support Jim, but both are quietly supporting him. My sense is that people like this are not going to show up in any polling data, but are determined to make sure they cast their votes. It is part of what makes us optimistic about Tuesday.
A brief glimpse ahead. It is now 7 AM. By 8 I will be out in the cold at the final farmers' market before we vote. By 10:30 I will be at headquarters a few blocks away getting ready for the rest of the day. We will have a big rally, then we will head out - lit drops, visibility events, phoning. In my case I expect to keep going until around 9 tonight. Household tasks like catpans and laundry have to wait until it is not possible to further contact to GOTV. Tomorrow I may take an hour or two to go to Quaker Meeting for Worship, but then I may use that time to pass out literature at a shopping center. We have to act as if we are still behind but with a chance to close the margin. None of us wants to agonize of what could have been. Here is Virginia we remember last year when Creigh Deeds lost the Attorney General's race by about 300 votes.
So there you have it. My apology, my reflection back, and my looking forward. By 8 PM tonight the final Mason-Dixon poll will be online at least at the Virginia Pilot. Those of you who stay connected may know the results before then. I almost certainly will not. I'll be too busy. Some of you will be able to see the advantage Jim has in TV advertising especially in NoVa. I will not be watching until this evening. I may hear some of Jim's effective radio ads as I drive from one place to another.
The absentee voting in NoVa - in Fairfax, Arlington, etc, has been huge. Today is the last day one can do so in person. Normally such voting can be used to project turnout. I'm not totally sure such is the case, since many may be voting early or absentee because of worries about machines. Still,if the trend is any kind of indication, Jim Webb will do very well in NoVa on Tuesday, and that is the single biggest key to his becoming our next Senator.
Now please forgive me -- I must eat breakfast, get dressed, and head out for a day of campaigning to help assure that Jim wins on Tuesday.
And what are you doing today?