The campaign moves on to Oregon, to the Pacific, to the West. The symbolism of having it end in Oregon is huge.
Let me count the ways. It took around five months (just like the primaries) for a family to complete the 2000 mile trail (Independence, to Oregon City). Stragglers took six or seven months (but most made it, come on Hillary & Co.)
And what was it like?
Exhausting, boring, dangerous, frightening, and exciting...
Boredom came from the daily routine of breaking camp, walking, making camp again in the evening, and eating the same thing day after day, all in the midst of a cloud of dust and grit thrown up by the wagons and animals.
Sound familiar, then read on becuase lives depend on it ...
It was not so long ago (160 years of so) that pioneers came out here, ready for a new opportunity. Ready for more expansive landscape and more expansive thinking. The great, great, great, great grandchildren of those pioneers are ready to move us forward again.
We don’t have to deal with dysentery - but they do in Darfur.
We won’t be killed by pissed off locals - but they are in Iraq.
We won’t starve for lack of grain - but the do in Bangladesh.
We are moving our political homestead away from the East, and yes it will require determination and endurance, and yes lives do depend on it.
To Oregon, May 20th and the end of the trail.
The ruts of the wagons are still visible today, an eduring testament to the power of hope. For nothing can stand in the ways of millions of voices calling for change. Not the Rockies, not the Plains, not Senator Clinton, not Senator McCain.
Westward ho!