This isn't a GBCW diary. Rather, it's my effort to launch the Obama campaign into it's last 3 days of campaigning and GOTV effort, but without me. So, it is a Be Good, Wonderful Campaign diary.
I just can't do it any more. I'm outta gas. I've left so much out there "on the road" that I simply cannot muster another drop in order to carry on.
Before you condemn me as a quitter, finish reading this. If, after you have reached the end of my tale, you still feel that I'm chickening out - tell me so. I lay it all out for you over the fold...
My direct involvement with the Obama Campaign started in March of this year - some seven months ago. I had been a strong supporter of John Edwards. I felt that he had the passion to really represent the middle class. I also wanted him to pick Obama as his VP running mate.
Then, John Edwards dropped out of the race at the end of January. His campaign had frustrated me to no end. And Mr. Edwards never seemed to get his feet under him during the early debates.
I evaluated the remaining Democratic contenders. Hillary just didn't do it for me. Because she's a woman? Bah! Horrible cop-out. I rate my candidates on the issues, not their plumbing or the color of their hide. This tall, skinny fellow from Chicago really made sense to me. More than anything, I liked the guy for his intellect. And after eight years of Bush the Drooling Retard in the White House, intelligence was SO damned attractive!
Well, I signed up through the website. Eventually, I got an e-mail from the campaign that they were opening offices in PA and that I should attend the grand opening of the one in my area - which I did. Part of that first meeting was dedicated to having each person in the room tell the others why they were interested in Barack Obama. I was about 12th to speak. I admitted to the 30 or so people in the room that I'm a Republican, told them that I don't want my kids to grow up in a George Bush world, and got the first round of applause for my words.
The organizer asked me to be a Team Leader, which sounded like no big deal. Was I ever wrong! I was put in charge of 12 people, 21 voting precincts, and was told to recruit more people wherever I could. This was for the Pennsylvania Primary. We tried, but Hillary took PA.
Once Obama had the nomination locked up, I went back to work for the campaign, but only as a door-to-door canvasser. I'd had enough of that Team Leader stuff.
Since this past March, I have donated money, time, and personal resources of many types to the Obama campaign - including food, drink, gasoline, cell phone hours, and lots of shoe leather. I have organized canvasses and personally knocked on doors for the man. I have organized and participated in phone banks on his behalf. I have begged a lawyer for the free use of his conference room for our phone canvassers. I have spoken before several organizations about how they can help support Barack Obama.
I feel that I've done my part. I believe that I've done more than most. After the heart attack that I suffered this past July, my stamina just isn't what it used to be. Between the heart and my one bad knee, I can't get up and down these Pennsylvania hills like everybody else. My wife, an RN, tells me that the stress is not good for my diabetes.
So, dear reader, I leave it to you to get Barack Obama across the finish line. I want nothing more than to be there with you when it happens, but I just can not make it any further in this race. I want to be able to tell my grandchildren that I was there at the end of it all, but I can't take another step. I am passing the torch on to you. You are, each of you, one or more of the following: younger, stronger, healthier, wealthier (or at least employed) than I am.
I'll be cheering you on from here. When you get over the finish line with our guy, that one voice that seems to be a little louder than the others will be mine.
I'm buying a bottle of champagne for Tuesday night.
Please.....join me for a drink.