This is a diary that has been eight years in the making. Eight years ago, I lost my election for the statehouse ending my six year stint as a State Legislator. The District went from a leaning R to an R District in the 2002 election which I won only because of the incredibly awful candidate the Republican's nominated. :)
The last week of the 2004 campaign I knew it was over. The Democratic Party did not throw me under the bus, though I told them to do so. I was in leadership, so I was a tiny part of the inner circle directing money. We spent a lot of money, but my opponent spent twice as much. About the first of October, I found Dailykos while doing debate research. On those nights when the campaign was going poorly, I could come here and relax among friends and discuss real issues with informed people. It was such a different environment.
When I lost in 2004, I kept up with politics almost exclusively through Kos. I went into a depression of sorts, though I was too proud to get real help. My wife and kids were great, and by the summer of 2005, I had come out of it somewhat. Through it all, there was Kos.
My morning routine changed with me reading the Daily Pundit Round-Up instead of the Des Moines Register. I found and started reading the New York Times on-line. In the dark days of 2007, it was Kos that centered me. In 2008 I caucused for Edwards, even introducing him locally a couple of times. Like so many people, I was taken in by the man who could not control his passion. During the Clinton/Obama wars, I tried to be a peacekeeper. Commenting often that both would make excellent candidates and presidents. I was right, too. Few people could have been the SOS over the last four years with the amount of dignity and success as Clinton has shown.
This election cycle my teaching and coaching was busier than ever. I did the least amount of work in a campaign since 1992. I missed it, but through Kos, I knew what was going on, and I was a cheerleader at least for Christie Vilsack. Plus, a lot of my former students were working and volunteering on races here and across the country. Most of them worked on races where their candidates won, and they are feeling the euphoria of that type of all encompassing win.
In the end, Kos has been my friend that first enabled me to get through my loss and Bush's re-election. Then it helped me get back into the fray in 2006-2010. As the election closes, this red area has become deep red with only two democratic office holders in the two county area. However, we have an Iowa Senate with a democratic majority, the House is closer, and Obama is our president.
Thank you Kos and the Kos community for throwing a lifeline when I was drowning. For keeping me safe and dry when my life was ending. For being available for discussion and debate on progressive issues which I can get few other places. For being an outlet for angst when so few exist.
I am sure there are others like me whose lives have been saved through the format of this site. Thank you all.
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