Picture the setting: On a stage draped in Red, White, and Blue, surrounded from all angles by Old Glory, with a backdrop of an enormous "CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN" banner spread from one side to the other. The enthusiastic people of the crowd are waving their homemade posters and campaign signs while they dance and sing along with the music. But this is not your normal Barack Obama rally--something feels more special and there is more reason to be so enthusiastic. Then you look on the stage and realize why. Standing next to Barack and Michelle are the likes of Al Gore, John Edwards, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, and Bill and Hillary Clinton, and they are all there to send one clear message: The time is now to elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.
Can you imagine hearing the first ever female Speaker of the House formally telling the American People that Barack Obama is the man to move our country back on the right and just path? Then being followed by Al Gore himself, explaining how powerful and moving Barack's vision for America is. I can see John Edwards giving fiery remarks about lifting up the middle-class by making the necessary changes guided by a President Obama. Then, the stage is set.
Hillary takes the podium and gives her most powerful and heartfelt speech about the urgent need for unity in this country; how we can't afford to repeat our mistakes of electing the wrong president. She graciously explains the rigors of the campaign trail and the personal toll it took on her, how she respects Barack's approach that held both campaigns to a higher standard, how his leadership made both of them better, and how that higher standard is the same thing he will bring the United States as our next President as she formally endorses his candidacy. Our time for reconciliation is now.
Everything that happened throughout this emotionally draining process over the past 15 months is now, well, in the past. All our energy we spent in time, resources, and funds during this primary must be extended and amplified from now until November. Obama supporters have to remain humble and sensitive while the trickle--not a flood--of Hillary supporters move in this direction. They also must never take their eye off the prize or take anything for granted. This is too important to enjoy right now. Clinton supporters need to readjust their sites on what everyone knows is the ultimate goal--beating John McCain. As those who back Hillary start this process of reconciliation--hopefully the next time John McCain opens his mouth--they must also do everything they can to help others see that same vision and convince them to unite as one party. Our time for reconciliation is now.
We are a blessed People that have the freedom and luxury of celebrating democracy, unlike much of the rest of the world. Shortly following the day of our nation's original contested presidential election a standard was set with a seamless and non-hostile transfer of power from one president to the next, and has occurred each of the following 41 times we exercised this process. Out of literally billions of people in American history, only 43 have held the office of President of the United States, and there have been many of fine and capable men who's "everything they had" fell short. In our country we take this process for granted, but this is a testament to our strength as a nation that we always come together when it counts--we always stand up to the call when the opportunity presents itself.
Democrats,
Our time for reconciliation is now.