Like many of you, as I have thought about this election, about voting for Barack Obama and Joe Biden, getting great progressive Democrats into the government, I am filled with emotion and pride. All the hard work and the seemingly improbable journey that got us here, on the cusp of a pivotal event in American history, I feel blessed and a bit overwhelmed.
Being part of this very special day, one for the books, an old song pops into my head. Anyone remember Jesus Jones' "Right Here, Right Now"? Yes I'm dating myself a bit, but some of its lyrics capture some of what I've been feeling about this election.
I was alive and I waited, waited
I was alive and I waited for this
Right here, right now
there is no other place I want to be
Right here, right now
watching the world wake up from history
Yes, this song was about the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of Communism in central and eastern Europe. But it sure captures the spirit of this day. I see the enthusiasm in the faces of voters, of colleagues, of shared smiles with strangers on the street. Today, I feel more connected to my fellow citizens than ever before.
And we all feel the importance, the weight of this day. It is the fruit of many people's labors. And we share in our anxieties, that niggling sense of is it too good to be true. But we chose to turn our fear into a call for action, motivated to ensure that things are different, better this time, instead of sinking into pity and apathy.
We are part of history in the making. Whether you are black, white, Asian, Native American, Latino or any combination thereof, we are part of the progressive story of America, from the emancipation of slaves to struggle for labor unions, from women's suffrage to the civil rights movement. Can you feel the history of that on you, with you, all around you? It kept me up last night, the honor, the responsibility, the power to help move this country another step forward.
We're on the verge of living to see a day that most, if not all of us, never thought we'd get to experience. And we helped make it happen. We helped expand the possibility of America, of how she is defined. We inspire hope across the world, that maybe, just maybe, America can start on the a path of redemption, that we can show by action, not just spew empty words, that yes, anything is possible in America.
Thank you to all of those across America who knocked on doors, called strangers, talked with friends and family, donated money, kept the volunteers fed, remained vigilant, believe that we can do better, be better as Americans. I salute you!