In these final few days of the campaign, I am reminded of the excitement we all felt right before Bill Clinton was elected when we kept asking each other, "Is this for real?" And yet, this is a different kind of excitement, one bolstered by enthusiasm and the notion of voting FOR someone I believe in, and tempered by resolve to not let this slip through our fingers on November 4. And so, here is resolve, my enthusiasm, and my heart. Please feel welcome to share some of your own in the comments.
If a freak South Carolina blizzard bears down on November 4, I will walk to my polling place wearing every sweater I've got and carrying an extra pair of mittens for someone in line who needs them.
If there is an 8 hour line to vote, I will wait 9 hours and let those who look tired or sick go ahead of me.
If I am stuck in line between a lady with a whiny baby and a lady with a whiny Republican, I will try to make the baby laugh.
If I am stuck in line between the crazy town hall lady saying Obama is an "Arab" and the crazy diner lady yelling "Soooocialiiiist!", I will turn up "Come and Get Your Love" in my headphones.
If I am in line between an actual Arab and a real Socialist, I will thank my lucky stars for this great country.
If I get to the front of the line and they can't find my name on the books, I will wait patiently while we try to straighten the problem out.
If they tell me I can't vote, I will not falter in my resolve to exercise my right and cast my vote. I will speak softly and carry a big stickACLU Voter Empowerment Card.
If they tell my fellow American he can't vote, I will help him find his voice and speak up to defend his right to vote.
If my legs give out on the way to the voting booth, I will crawl the rest of the way.
If my fellow American's legs give out, I will carry him the rest of the way.
If, at the end of the night, everyone's votes have been counted, I will declare victory no matter who wins the election.
But...
If Obama wins, Ima get me a whole big bunch of grapes off a bush, or whatever, an' I'm gonna squash 'em on my face an' let 'em run offen my chin.
On standby: Bonus Grapes of Wrath quote from Granma: "Pur-raise Gawd fur vittory!"
"We are the ones we have been waiting for."
- Barack Obama
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