It could have been Sarah Palin today.
Imagine this scenario. The last fall the US is hit with another 9/11 type of attack. The country recoils in fear an elects John McCain by a razors edge. Sometime between the election and the inauguration McCain has a heart attack or a stroke and is unable to serve.
This means Sarah Palin would have been sworn in today. Imagine how you would have felt seeing her and Todd standing there taking the oath. What would the future of our country look like? How would the world view the United States with her at the helm?
I ask you to consider this because elections do have consequences. Losing elections has consequences. Had you not campaigned, not made phone calls, knocked on doors, gave some money to the campaing, Sarah Palin could be our President right now.
I often felt that way in 1999. Many people said "oh what's the difference, the country is fine, the President isn't that important". Bush turned out to be a disaster and was elected because many on the left defected to Nader. Remember this day and remember why you voted. Some time down the road the choice may seem meaningless but it never is. We can never fully intuit what may come good or ill.
Today we are thrilled and excited but the Republicans tried to hoist Sarah Palin on the nation is arguably our most challenging times. Never let up in your quest for democracy and your fight for liberal values. The moment we let up the Republicans will be back.
Today we cheer, tomorrow we work. We get involved. When you sit it out you risk it all.