As the Democratic Party, apparently in a fit of nostalgia, lurches into it’s (rumored to be traditional) election cycle ritual of the circular firing squad, I thought perhaps a little "Political Player 101" might be in order for some of my friends at this site (of course present company excepted!). I write this mostly for those of you who are newly active and motivated to make change happen this election. As well as for those of you who may have a lot of experience in being a voter and/or a supporter, but little inside experience in how campaigns and votes are won in the day-to-day infighting of politics and political organizing. I also write this from the perspective of a trained and experienced union organizer who has done the work and fought in the trenches for the votes to pass this or that piece of legislation, or elect a candidate.

I love you folks... I really do! But you are hurting my head. But since I've been through this before (in the 1960s) and remember just how chaotic real change can be, I know this is just a phase you're going through. So youngbloods... please take just a little advice from an old school dude...

Betrayal! Turncoat! Disappointment!

I can't vote for him! He has no principals...!

After all of the kafuffle of the past two weeks, my head is about to explode. It seems some folk are so lost in the leaves they can’t see the tree and have no inkling of the forest. So let’s all take a deep breath… 1…2…3! Okay, now breathe in… deeper…. Deeper… hold it… now slowly exhale.

Now… the time has come, as the walrus said, to return to a little sanity. It seems as the general election campaign unfolds that we have forgotten some very basic realities.

This is for those needing a morale boost during the summer doldrums between primary ending and the national conventions.

The baton has passed, the race goes on. Today Sen. Clinton conceded the Democratic primary race to Sen. Obama and some wept. Her supporters have labored long and hard to push her across the finish line ahead of the pack, and although she outpaced most of the field and gave her all, it was not to be.

A couple of years ago, after a sudden sickness, the oldest son of someone I loved was diagnosed with leukemia. I remember standing with his mother as the doctors told her that her eight year old son had a disease that could end his life and he had to embark on a multi-year course of chemotherapy, with no guarantee of success. Her pain was unimaginable. I had to leave the room to find a quiet place to sob and cry. It was one of the lowest points of my life.

The recent episode with Father Pflagler's sermon seemed to cause a lot of head scratching and condemnation among many of those "hard working Americans" out there. Even President Bill, who should know better, expressed some bitterness about the incident today. The good Father seemed to be out of pocket, as it were, but why the reaction from the congregation? Are they mean evil people?

Well, although there have been apologies a bunch, maybe a little perspective can cast a little light on all the heat.

As Primary season 2008 wraps up, we are left to ponder the race. For Democrats, it has been a season of historical dimensions by all accounts. For the first time a Mexican American, a Woman and an African American mounted viable challenges for the top spot. And for the first time in a long time, voter interest and participation shot up to record levels.  Now as the final votes are cast, here’s my take on “the good, the bad and the ugly” of the race.

Today, Memorial Day, is the day we have set aside to pay tribute to our fallen. Today I would like to say a few words to the families and friends of those men and women.

THANK YOU!

You are in my prayers.

I grew up in a different America. Different that is from the one Hillary Clinton grew up in. Maybe different from yours too.

I'm not a Democratic insider with secret knowledge, just someone who'd like to inject just a little common sense into the discussion... At the risk of stating the obvious...

In the trailing end of the primary season we are witnessing a political garage sale coming from the losing camp. It sometimes seems that Camp Clinton has decided to clean out the closets and cupboards, and round up all of that stuff that’s been floating loose in the garage and just put it out on the table to see who would buy it.  But the fire sale on justifications, rationales and explanations, should not obscure a very important and highly complex issue. Sexism, and how did/does it affect the campaigns of women.

By now you are well versed in the Camp Clinton fall back position that she leads in the total popular votes cast in the primary contests thus far... not counting caucus states and counting MI and FL of course.

Such an argument makes for entertaining debate and theoretical supposition, but relying on it can be dangerous for the Democratic parties long-term health.

(Initially posted as a comment - reposted as a Dairy by request)

None of us have any choice or control on where, when, who or in what condition we are born. You are what you are and that's that! But it is certainly true that some of us have more obstacles, mountains and holes to surmount as we journey on the road of life.

In this campaign none of the participants had any control over their gender or race, so all of the candidates had to play the hand they were dealt.

So when Senator Clinton complains about the "sexism" and "misogyny" in the campaign being worse that the "racism" it deserves some thought... in today's Washington Post, the Senator is quoted as saying...

Today I read yet another heart wrenching article memorializing the tragic struggle and death of one of our young soldiers – and his wife.

A victim of the war within...

(ht to Raw Story)

...And sons…??

Many years ago, in the heat of a bygone election, I was listening to the news on my car radio while driving my son to his daycare.  During a newsbreak in the music, one of the Presidential candidates came on and made a patently ridiculous statement. To be honest, I don’t even remember what it was. But I do remember my young son looking up at me with open eyes and asking… “Dad, did that man just tell a lie?” I remember how I felt as I tried to compose an answer for my child, who had yet to learn about the ugly in the world, about leaders and presidents who tell lies.

With the Democratic Primary winding down and the calls for Hilary to exit becoming increasingly loud and more frequent, that memory caused me to reflect upon this moment. While Hilary lost me (and my vote) somewhere South of New Hampshire, I have come to realize that, despite how I might feel about the race, this is really an important teaching moment. One we shouldn’t simply throw away in our election exuberance. As a single father, I know first-hand how precious and rare these moments are and how valuable they are to our kids.

Sisters,

I write this as a aging Black Man who is sympathetic to your cause. I know that I have not walked a mile in your heels, but believe me – I see and feel your pain.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Hilary threw me under the bus quite awhile ago. I mean, I felt myself slipping in New Hampshire - seems about ten years ago, I think. By South Carolina... I was a gonner! I was under the bus as the Clinton Campaign started the effort to paint Barak as the "Black Candidate" as opposed to a Democratic candidate who happened to be Black.