Well, I just returned from early voting here in Texas, and I was proud to cast my vote for John Edwards.
This vote, of course, is even more futile than the vote I cast for Al Gore in Texas in 2000. (At least there I helped him to a popular majority.) It might be about as futile as the first vote I cast against George W. Bush, for Garry Mauro in 1998. (70-30 for the Shrub, as I recall. Yeowch.)
But you know, I don't think I've ever cast a vote with so much pride.
If John Edwards has a contribution to this primary system that lasts, I hope it's a continued discussion on poverty in America. God knows we have a lot of problems, terrorism certainly high on the list, but there are few greater travesties than the plight of the working poor in America. John Edwards may have been solidly middle class growing up, but there's no disputing that he rose from humble roots to become a wildly successful attorney and, albeit briefly, the senior senator from North Carolina.
I don't know if we have that kind of opportunity in the United States right now. I don't think we do, not to the extent that my parents and grandparents had it. John Edwards convinced my in his sincere belief to bring it back.
I donated more money to John Edwards than I've donated to any other politician -- about 15% of my income since I started supporting him. Can I afford it? Not particularly well, but I also believed in him and was inspired by him more than any other politician I've seen.
This morning, I was a little heartbroken and it was definitely a bittersweet moment when I cast my vote. Dean supporters, I think I can empathize with what you went through a couple weeks ago.
John Kerry has my vote in November, for sure, but I'm not quite ready to donate my time and money to him quite yet. I need a little time before I do that. Besides, it's a long electoral season coming up in front of us; George W. Bush isn't going anywhere, and my money will do just as much good six months from now as it will today. But Sen. Kerry, I look forward to your inauguration next year. Now fight like hell until then.
And to John Edwards I say: thank you for your campaign. You made a believer out of me, and it will be my pleasure to work for you in the future. Here's to working hard for the future VP's presidential campaign in 2012.
John Edwards with a touch of gray -- now that's something that'll scare the Republicans. I can't wait.