I've seen the influx of Edwards diaries today, but I don't apologize to anyone for adding one more. Perhaps it won't make it to the rec list, perhaps it won't break 20 comments. Thats okay, because in my mind its worth sharing.
This is my first time back to the site in awhile. In the heat of Iowa, I left because I was tired of the bickering on this site.
The radio contacted me today to ask me about how I felt of Edwards' exit from the race. They wanted me to do an interview with them, so I did. I told the thousands of people listening in that I have no regrets, I supported Edwards and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
I supported Edwards from day 1. His message of poverty struck me as powerful and meaningful. It reminded me of all the community service I did in high school, traveling to that nearby urban city with abandoned factories and jobless people. Helping in food pantries. Raising awareness every way I could. Its funny, I considered raising awareness for the hungry and deprived as the goal of my life.
And then came Edwards, who essentially had the same mission in life that I have. I didn't live in an early primary state, I didn't live in a Super Duper Mega Ultimate Tuesday state, but I still went out and spread the word. I put an Edwards bumper sticker on my car (which I have no intentions of replacing or removing) and was the only person yet in my metro area that I've seen with an Edwards sticker on their car. I met Edwards in South Carolina and he signed my Edwards '08 board. I circulated petitions to get him on the ballot (even getting impressive sigs from city council candidates and even the vice-mayor).
At this point, I don't know what to do. I invested a lot of time into his campaign. Many on this site are telling me to switch to Obama. But I remember when Obama betrayed me when he claimed he was against free trade but expressed his intimate love for Peru FTA. Clinton isn't off the hook though, that SC robo-call was utterly disgusting (in addition to the free trade crap).
As a staunch Edwards supporter, I think I'll let the rest of the party settle this Hillary-Obama thing. I might just vote for Edwards, after all I helped get him on the ballot in my state. Edwards can endorse anyone he wants, but I can make my own mind.
One last thing, I'll always love Edwards for the hope he brought me. Its the people like Wellstone and Edwards that show the true face of economic populism. Its not about being ideologically against mega-corporations, its about fighting them, its about standing up and speaking out.
Thank you John. Thank you Elizabeth. And thank you Cate for putting up with 'em ;). Jack and Emma Claire deserve gratitude also, for being good sports.
P.S. We will win in 2008.