Back when GWB won the first time, my partner and I picked up and moved out of the country, just as we said we would do. There were others who said they would before the election, but when push came to shove...well, the actors stayed put.
Now, I'm starting to wish I had, too. I explain below the fold.
When my partner and I moved out of the country, I made myself a promise and repeated it to all who would listen -- "I will return to the US when Ed Rendell is elected president and I receive a personal invitation to the inauguration with the campaign putting me up in the Lincoln Bedroom." That has now been amended.
It's not that I want to return for good; neither of us does. We have a very nice little life here. BUT...I want to be doing more than one can do from overseas for the campaign. Sure, we can blog and diary and comment and send emails, but I want to be out there on the streets, on the phones, at the polling places. I want to be doing the things I did for John Anderson (remember him? independent; just wanted to get him over that magic 5%). After that, it was Dem all the way.
I'm in my late 40's, and the most embarrassing thing is that now that I no longer live there, my 69 year old mother has picked up my slack. She's canvassing VA; she's making phone calls; she will be working at Obama HQ on election day. She is excited about the campaign, about making a real difference.
And I feel both guilty and jealous.
So, for me, and for all other Dems Living Abroad, please make one extra phone call, 10 extra minutes going door to door. I know you're all tired. It's asking a lot, but please help my mum pick up the slack for those of us who can't be there.
Americans abroad love you guys. GOTV!