The title of this entry is the word most often spoken today in Arlington Virginia. This is a brief explanation of why.
Once word was received that George Allen would concede today at 3 PM, the Webb campaign immediately planned an event for 4:15 or shortly thereafter, where Jim Webb would claim his victory. An announcement was posted on raisingkaine, emails were sent out by the campaign and by various groups supporting Jim, including Veterans for Webb, of which I am a part. Realistically I did not have the time to go, but I was not going to miss this celebration.
We began to gather at the plaza at Courthouse where months ago Jim had his first formal event in N Virginia. In fact, it was the day he declared. He had a small event in Gate City, in the southwestern part of the state from where his father's family comes, but then he came to our neck of the woods, a short walk from campaign headquarters, and officially announced, after being introduced by his former wife, the mother of 3 of his 4 children.
People had Webb signs, Webb buttons, Webb stickers. Coming as I did on short notice from school, I had little Webb paraphernalia available, and was unwilling to run home to get more, as I did not want to miss a single moment. mI managed to scrape up one button and two Veterans for Webb stickers that were on the jacket on the back seat of my car and which I transferred to my shirt and my hat. As I walked from wear I parked a friend slapped a bumper sticker on my back. I figured, why not, we didn't need it for any more cars! We had WON!
As the crowd began to build, we began to greet one another, volunteers, public officials who had endorsed as far back as the primary, paid staff. The word heard most often was "Congratulation" closely followed by "thanks." People were acknowledging to one another the work, the sacrifice, the commitment that had been offered that had helped to make this victory possible.
Eventually Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine and Jim Webb spoke. It was before a huge battery of cameras - still photographers and live video and video tape. Hong Le Webb, very pregnant, was on the platform with them. Dozens of public officials and candidates like Judy Feder were behind, along with many Firefighters for Webb in their distinctive yellow and other Webb supporters.
One of the most powerful moments was when Jim was introduced. Philip Thompson handed him a bag from which Jim took out his son's combat boots which he had worn throughout the campaign, held them up and announced that the campaign was over.
It was natural for people to want to celebrate. The Veterans for Webb had already agreed to gather at a nearby Irish pub. The timing was appropriate, for as Jim had noted, tomorrow is the birthday of the Marine Corps and the following day is Veterans Day. As it happened there was a group of Marine veterans from Vietnam in the mid 1960s who were having reunion that many of us greeted.
But many other volunteers joined us, as did most of the paid campaign staff. There were hugs, there were high fives. And what was special was the congratulations offered to the volunteers by the paid staff, even as we congratulated them back. When Jessica the campaign manager or Adrienne the assistant campaign manger arrived, they were greeted with cheers.
People shared their highs and lows from the campaign. We looked backward and forwards, to what we might all be doing next.
There was no distinction as to role in the campaign. We all knew that in a narrow victory like this we had all played an important role.
Many of us were sought out by the press while we were on the Plaza. Reporters from as far away as Norway wanted to know why we supported Jim, what drew us to him. It was as if they sensed that there was something different about this campaign. I know those celebrating the victory of Jon Tester would also talk about what was unique about their experience. But we were so close to the nation's capital, and George Allen was so much more of a nationally imposing figure, that fairly or not, we got much more press attention.
I am tired. I am not as tired as campaign staff, some of whom have not had as much as 5 hours sleep in more than a month. This diary is far from coherent. But I needed to share this with those of you who chose to read it.
if you are encountering this on dailykos, you can recommend or not as you see fit. Quite frankly, I don't really give a damn what you decide to do with this diary. WE WON. We were 16 points down. Sure, Allen self-destructed, but it would not have mattered if we had not had the dedicated staff and volunteers that we did, if we had not worked like hell to turn out every single vote we could, whether by phoning, knocking on thousands of doors on election day, standing at metro stops to encourage people to vote.
This IS a campaign that was bottom up, that began with people urging Jim to run on our behalf. Later I will do a "thoughtful" reflection on my experience of participating in this historic and important campaign.
But for now I also want to return a favor. I am a volunteer who was honored by the professional staff that greeted me with congratulations and thanks, and praised me for all I did.
Whether you read this on dailykos or raisingkaine, I offer the same to you. I say "Congratulations" for you were a part of this effort and share in the glory. And I thank you for all that you did.