This is a two-part diary, the first of which is about me and the second of which is about a fellow Kossack's (and my friend's) victory in the CA-24 Democratic primary. Prior to yesterday night I was an undecided Democratic voter, despite voting for Obama in Florida's primary in January and initially supporting him after realizing Gore was not jumping in - heck, I would've even considered myself a "lean Clinton" for most of the past couple of months. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the former First Lady, both in terms of policy positions and her tenacity to continue in the face of long odds, calls for her to get out of the race, and tremendously unfair media treatment.
Now, however, with the Democratic primary finally over, it is time for me and others in the party to coalesce around our nominee and the next President of the United States, Barack Obama. Though I held and still hold some reservations on an issue stance here and there, he is a strong progressive through and through, and just as important is his unprecedented ability to excite people about this election and draw previously apathetic voters into the process. He has energized people not just about his candidacy, but about politics and the good that can come from it. He is a movement candidate that will go on to transform government, the way it is currently negatively perceived, and bring the United States back to its rightful place as the beacon of hope and opportunity in this world.
One of the reasons I leaned toward Clinton the past many months was her willingness to fight and stand up to the people and institutions who belittled and degraded her. That is the reason why I was so very happy to read ncaldem's diary "Obama Pulls Lieberman Aside" earlier today. I am proud of the fact that Obama did not sit idly and listen to Senator Lieberman's venom and untruths and instead got in his face and, presumably, put him back in his place - as a Democratic turncoat. This is the fight that I've longed to see in a Democratic Presidential candidate and sincerely hope that Obama will continue to stand up to those who lie about his record for their own personal and political gain.
That all being said, I empathize with the pain that Clinton supporters must be going through this week - I similarly felt down after working so hard to get Al Gore to run, and likewise, was rooting for Hillary, to at the very least, stay in the race through the last primary. Now however, the primary is over and the only way McCain can be beat in November is with your support. If even 15% of Democrats vote for McCain in the general election, our presence in Iraq will continue, universal health care will not become a reality, and the Supreme Court will stay in conservative hands for the foreseeable future. So please, take the next few days and weeks to come to grips with the sad reality that your candidate lost - trust me, you've deserved some time - but then realize that our nation's future is at stake this November.
The other piece of news that I want to share is the terrific story of Marta Jorgensen's primary victory in California's 24th Congressional District last night. Known as pcmedia around these parts, I had the great pleasure of knowing and working with her during out Draft Gore days when she was an Gore ballot organizer last fall - I have the utmost respect for her and there's not a doubt in my mind that she'll make a terrific congresswoman after defeating Bush-ally Elton Gallegly. Her victory stunned the local pundits (and even her!) prompting David Dayen of Calitics to write:
CA-24: It's truly amazing to me that Jorgensen's lead is holding. She has 47% of the vote and is very likely to win. That's quite an upset to me... The AP has called it for Jorgensen. I'm baffled. She dropped out of the race and didn't even have the money to buy the voter file.
Despite the surprise victory, there's no question that she's going to need lots of money and lots of support in going forward.
One of the very first Netroots for Gore members back in February 2007, Marta is a strong progressive worthy of our support. Climate change is her number one priority (she's in favor of a carbon tax), has endorsed A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, supports single-payer universal health care, and wants to see a restoration of our Constitution's checks and balances.
In order to get her campaign rolling, please consider contributing - with your help, she'll even be able to buy the voter file! :-)
Congratulations Marta!