In those glorious few days before the election, when we are feeling so damn confident that Big John was going to win, and win big, I started thinking about the
next race. Specifically, the race to fill Kerry's sure-to-be vacant senate seat. With my chickens well an fully counted prematurely, I sent an e-mail to Rep. Barney Frank. You see, the special election would only be 140 days away I didn't want to waste a minute and lose any of our John-mentum. So, I told him that I was officially volunteering for his not-yet-announced senate campaign, and would do whatever he needed in Western Massachusetts (where the few opportunities to help Kerry meant dragging my ass up to NH). Still a bit raw from our loss, I was saddened just a bit more by this letter:
Dear Mr. (My Name)
I was gratified by your offer to help in my Senate campaign. Obviously, the disastrous results on Election Day make this academic, and I am deeply disappointed by that, primarily of course because it means that we will be very ill-governed in my view over the next four years, but also in a minor, additive way because I was looking forward to a Senate race. One of the things that had me eager to do that was the very gracious response I was getting from talented people like yourself, and I am sorry that I will not be able to take advantage of your kindness. On the other hand, please know that your offer was not entirely wasted because for me personally, this sort of response to my potential Senate run offers me some consolation after the unhappy results of Election Day, and it is the sort of thing that helps me keep going in our fight. Thanks again.
Barney Frank
(hand signed)
I share this merely as a reminder that we still have some kind, smart, and determined leaders on our side.