Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
I was moved by the nearly 2000 people who drove to Columbus, KY -- in some cases people drove more than 50, 60 and even 70 miles -- to participate in the political process and engage on the issues important to rural Americans.
Edwards was inspiring, personal, convincing. He and won over a lot of people yesterday -- people all political stripes.
I hope yesterday’s event sent a message to politicians everywhere that Americans from all walks of life are ready to take back the politics of this country for values we believe in and the values we know are right.
Yesterday demonstrated the power of the net-roots (thanks to Eventful.com for sponsoring the contest and helping organize the event!) and the passion of people who love their communities. Yesterday represented a movement. A movement to send our leaders a clear message: if you aren’t going to lead this country, we will. A movement that says if you want rural America to vote for you, then engage us on the issues most important to our communities. A movement that says, Columbus, Kentucky may be a town of only 229 people, but our constituency is really the tens of millions of people all across this country who live, work and raise their families in rural America.
Thanks to everyone on this site who believed and took the time to make this happen. You have inspired a lot of people and involved a lot of people who otherwise would still feel demoralized by the political process.
I've said before I would be happy to host any presidential candidate who is willing to travel to rural America and engage us on the issues. Not just any candidate came: JOHN EDWARDS DID.
Thanks again for making this possible.
Best,
Shawn Dixon
PS - I have a collection of photos that folks have sent me in an album up on facebook if you want to check it out pics from the event.
http://www.facebook.com/...
Or, check out the diary from OrdinaryGal! Thanks OrdinaryGal.