John Edwards has withdrawn from the race. You might be thinking a dozen different things, depending on who you support and why you support them.
But whether you're thrilled or depressed, I only have one thing to say:
This is a movement, not a campaign.
That goes double for his supporters. Repeat that again to yourself.
The reason I've supported John Edwards is because he embodies what he often repeats: "this is not about us, the candidates. This is about you." Especially the people who haven't had a voice. This is not about him. This is about the cause of his life. And it should be the cause of all of our lives.
This is a movement. And it ain't over.
This is a movement to end poverty in America.
This is a movement to end our dependence on oil.
This is a movement to undo the damage of climate change.
This is a movement for our children's children. (And their children...)
This is a patriotic movement -- for something other than war.
This is a movement to reform our trade policy.
This is a movement for the right to organize.
This is a movement to get health care for every American man, woman, and child.
This is a movement for justice that will not cede the moral high ground to conservatives.
This is a movement to restore faith in our government.
This is a movement to restore our country's moral authority.
This is a movement to bring home our heroes in Iraq. (And we'll take help from anyone to make it happen.)
This is a movement to end the influence of corporate lobbyists in Washington DC.
This is a movement for public financing of elections.
This is a movement to stand up to these big money interests and finally say "enough".
This movement is for James Lowe.
This movement is for anyone who has been exploited by predatory lenders.
This movement is for anyone who has seen how a factory closing can devastate their neighbor.
This movement is for the people in New Orleans.
This movement is for the 200,000 men who wore our uniform who will sleep tonight under bridges and on grates.
This movement will remember Nataline Sarkisyan, and will fight for the day we can promise "never again".
This movement is for the heart and soul of the Democratic party.
This movement includes Republicans who just wanted a President who understood them all along (and realize now that it wasn't Bush).
This movement includes independents who supported Ross Perot, to fight the giant sucking sound.
This movement includes independents who supported Ralph Nader, to reclaim the country from corporate influence.
This is a Democratic movement that understands our party is about people, not money.
This is a democratic movement. Join us if you want. But obstruct us at your own peril.
This is a movement to restore the promise of one America, not a separate privileged America for the wealthiest 5%.
It's the same movement it was in 2004.
It's the same movement that it was in '98, '88, and '68.
And the movement won't stop in '08.
The movement won't stop with John Edwards. He's just one person who has stood up for this movement. I'm just one person who has stood up for this movement. Ask yourself -- will you stand up?