This has been an emotional year for me. As of this year, I've been an ardently political person for 40 years.
I remember 1968: I was 6. I remember the Tet offensive, the body counts delivered by Walter Cronkite on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the murders first of Martin, then of Bobby, then the riots, the burning, and the rioting cops. And Nixon, floating above it all, triumphant. In 1968, I became aware of the world of politics, and of the deep, deep wrong in the world, which had to be righted.
Since, I have worked for a better future. I have worked for organizations, created organizations, supported organizations for a better future. Run a lot of campaigns, done a lot of lobbying and grassroots organizing, always remembering that better men and women than I will ever be were thwarted, humiliated, beaten, imprisoned and killed to pave the way for this little time I'm given to do my part.
I have suffered tremendous sorrow and despair in the past eight years. Literally, no joke: clinical depression, even as I press on in my little way, a relatively big political fish in a very small local pond. When Kerry, too, had the Presidency stolen from him, I went into a bleak spiral that felt like months of endless night.
But today, my party, which has always been my party, however weak, spineless, or coopted it has sometimes proven, nominated a black man as its candidate for President of the United States.
I remember the blood on the floor, the fire hoses and police dogs, George Wallace standing in the doorway.
Terrible as the past eight years--much longer, really, since Reagan, though Clinton was better (except on trade and welfare)--have been, somehow there is something in this country that still aspires to nobility. That rises to what is best in us.
And so this man, sterling in character, sharp of intellect, sober and judicious of decision, a loving family man who rose from circumstances of hardship and carries compassion for those who are without, is chosen despite what has been a deal breaker in this nation since its founding.
By Democrats, because we are the wiser, kinder voice of what is best about America.
So yes: me, too. Cynical pol though I am, tonight I'm crying. Because just when I think we are too damned, too soft, too craven, too ignorant as a nation ever to save ourselves from what's worst in us, then we do this. And all I've hoped and worked for, for all these years, seems possible again.
For you, every one, every voice that joins this chorus for change, my heart bursts tonight.
Tomorrow, back to the work before us.