For the past few months, several of my family members have devoted themselves to the cause of getting Deval Patrick elected governor of Massachusetts. While I had no qualms with him as a candidate, I simply didn't understand the why so many of my acquantainces were head-over-heels in love with the guy. I was working for a health care advocacy group and focused on our own political battle, and I simply didn't have time to care what was happening in the gubernatorial race. I watched with amazement as my brother would wake up early and come home late each day doing unpaid work for a candidate. What drove him and others like him to do this? I found out today. More on the flip.
My fall break from college this weekend happened to coincide with a major rally today for Deval. A few days ago the personal attacks on him reached a new low, with information being released about his sister being the victim of sexual assault by her husband years ago. The couple has reconciled and now councils other troubled couples. However, what sounds like a success story is being used in Massachusetts to continue to paint Deval as soft on crime to the point where he could not defend his own family. I realize this argument is irrational, but rationality has never been a requirement for the right wing political attack machine. The rally today was, in part, designed to show the desire for change overcoming these petty attacks. Well, seeing as I was home and recovering from countless (actually 3) harrowing midterm examinations, I decided to attend and see what there was to offer...AND BOY WAS I IMPRESSED!
First of all, I had never seen in person a political speech like the one I saw today. It was well written, very well delivered, and most importantly, highly inspiring. The speech made the crowd one in its desire for change and its willingness to work for it. However, the speech was not what impressed me most about the event. The audience was. This wasn't a set of $1000 a plate donors, nor was it a set of $60 a day supporters paid to stand and be visible. This crowd was composed of upwards of 5000 individuals who were there because they wanted change and wanted to be on the front lines of the fight to achieve it. I saw young and old, black and white, male and female, and rich and poor standing together to because they believed in hope, not fear. On the train in, I met a series of volunteers who had added campaigning to their work and school obligations because they wanted a different future for Massachusetts. Incidentally, one is a political blogger at www.leftinlowell.com. While all of those who I saw came from different backgrounds, they all shared the common goal of a new massachusetts free from politics-as-usual. The rally wasn't just about listening, it was about doing. Anyone there could take a call sheet and phone bank on site with a cell, and more banks were being organized afterword. Volunteers were everywhere, answering questions and getting new support. This was a true people's assembly, not merely political theater, and it happened because Deval Patrick has a message of hope and change that resonates with more than the usual party faithful. It was a message that people can inspire change, regardless of what the pundits say. As I watched Deval speak, I realized that it was this message that had made my friends and family so devoted to the campaign. I only wish I had seen it sooner.
So here I am blogging about it. Why? Because what I saw today inspired me and I wanted to share my experience with the few individuals who may read this diary. Remember this: Republicans can tell us all they want about who to hate and who to fear, or who's going to raise our taxes and corrupt our children, or who's going to destroy America's values. It's a message that worked on a complacent and cynical electorate. But it doesn't make people want to vote. Hope replaces cynicism and rejects complacency. Hope makes individuals genuinely want to vote for a particular candidate. It brings people to the polls and to the volunteer campaign corps in a way that nothing else can. If it didn't, I don't think I would have seen as many people at the rally as I did today. This election season can be about more than fear. Let's make it happen.
Side note- Nice to see and meet some kossacks at the rally. AnotherMassachusettsLiberal was holding a "Mass kossacks for Patrick and Murray" sign. AML-I am sorry I had to decline your invitation to join the kossacks for a beer, but the combination of both having to drive and being underage presented a problem. Anyway, glad to see a kossack presence, and hopefully we see each other again at a victory rally in november.