Every election is important, but this one in November is so much more important than almost any other that I remember.
Although I was toddling around in 1932, I really don't remember it. What I do remember, however, is my own election in 1998 to the local County Board of Supervisors. Those of you from back East, this would be similar to your commissioners.
During that campaign I nearly went out of my mind because I was fending off attacks on me by people who should have been supportive, but also because of all of the well-meaning but time-consuming and irrelevant advice I was given on every aspect of my campaign. I shouldn't have done this; I should have done that; if I don't do so and so I will never win. Well, I took none of it and won by an 8% margin. My next election I ran unopposed, and retired after eight years. Age was a factor in my retirement. Most people get to retire at 65, and I was well beyond that.
The point of this is, to all of you well-meaning pundits out there – shut up about what Obama should do!! Out here in the grass-roots we are walking precincts, kissing babies (sort of), going to farmer's markets, having celebrations such as the local 'Bash for Obama' that you all will never hear about, but which looks like it will be wildly successful.
What appears to me is that the pundits really want to be important. Well, you are, but you are not as important as the grassroots. We out here recognize that the Republicans have been adept at driving a wedge between Hillary's supporters and minority voters who support Obama. Divide and Conquer. Who was it who said that if Democrats had to form a firing squad, they would line up in a circle. That is just what you all are doing – forming a circle and firing away at the best hope this country has had in years! Falling right into a Republican strategy that recognizes the problem the individual Democrats have with wanting power.
Pundits! Start writing about what the campaign is doing right for a change. The use of technology is terrific; outreach to young voters is inspiring; fund raising is phenomenal; and the presentations so far at the DNC have been extraordinary. Michelle Obama was terrific, and Dennis Kucinich gave the kind of political speech that I haven't heard in years, and he had the delegates on their feet applauding wildly.
Talk about that for a change, then get yourself out into your own precincts, knock on doors, kiss babies, do all of those great, wonderful things that individuals can do. We out here in the boonies will get Obama elected in spite of all of you.
