Good morning, everyone.
The headlines are not what we wanted to see but we will keep standing up for what is right. Here are some thoughts on this morning after.
1. Scott Walker won but he lost big in Rock County and Janesville. One of the few blue counties in the entire state, results of yesterday’s election should make Representative Knilans think about his own plan “B”. His chances in November are looking ever slimmer this morning.
2. The people. This has been an amazing year and a half and the people I have met through this experience, I would never have met otherwise. I am grateful for that, and it makes me want to go on doing the right thing for Janesville and for Wisconsin.
3. The Stockdale Principle. Admiral Stockdale spent time as a POW in Vietnam. In an interview later, he said that the people who made it out of the POW camps were not the ones who said “We’ll be out by Christmas!” followed by “For sure we’ll be out by Easter!” People who came back were the ones who believed that someday they will be free. It would have been oh so sweet to defeat Scott Walker and set our State back on track yesterday, but we will do it. One Assembly seat at a time if we have to, starting with the 44th District!
4. Though a subject to a possible recount, John Lehman’s victory turned the State Senate Democratic, finally putting some breaks on Walker’s extremist agenda. This creates room for either a stalemate or a compromise on various issues, and by the way, compromise doesn’t mean that one side bends and the other side gets what it wants. It means that both sides give up on something to reach a result that helps everyone.
5. Making a difference. It was easier to take the various setbacks, such as the initial Walker victory, when I was on the council, because I knew that no matter what, I had a real way to make a difference. Janesville voters placed me in the position of a decision maker, and I was going to do my best for the community from my little soap box of being member of local government. It felt empowering. Now, I can’t wait – with your help – to join the Assembly and make a difference on the State level.
6. Practice makes perfect. The recall operation in Janesville, which is what I saw, was very impressive. The last 3 days, which I spent on and off at the recall office, otherwise known as the Democratic Party of Rock County headquarters, were amazing. The energy was spilling over. People were coming in, making calls, bringing food, going out and canvassing, and in general helping each other in any way needed. This will come in very handy in just a few months when we will be getting ready for the Presidential election in November. This will also help when it’s time to get out the voters for the August 14 primary election. Do you think after this massive recall effort we’ll be rusty? No way.
7. Voter turn out. Riding around Janesville yesterday, I had to stop and take pictures of the lines of people waiting outside polling places to cast votes. This was democracy in action, and between those waiting to vote, and the many many people I saw throughout the day, holding signs, reminding people to vote, all over Janesville, it truly brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to everyone who stood in line and voted, and please consider voting early for the next election. I tried it this time, because I wanted to highlight the importance of voting, and voting early, and it really made my life easier on election day, when I was free to make calls, send out emails, and in general do my part to increase the voter turn out.
8. Take a break and rest. Your energy will be needed soon enough and we the people have done much to be proud of. We came to the Capitol, we made our opinions known, we gathered and got enough signatures to trigger only the 3rd recall of a governor in the US history. It is not our fault that Scott Walker raised bazillions of dollars, highlighting the need to reform how we finance our elections. It is not our fault that candidates many of us wanted, either chose not to run or lost to Tom Barrett in the primary. Mr. Barrett is a smart and decent man but he was not able to win last night. He was able, however, get re-elected as Mayor of Milwaukee with 70% support, but I guess if people who know you best, like you most, that shouldn’t be an indication that anyone else should or will vote for you.
So let’s take a step back, recharge, think about the lessons, celebrate the movement and prepare for what tomorrow brings. Thank you, Wisconsin and FORWARD!