IT WAS AN HONOR----Reflections on trekking to OH for the Hackett campaign

blue neen

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Wed Aug-03-05 11:40 PM
Original message

IT WAS AN HONOR----Reflections on trekking to OH for the Hackett campaign

Edited on Thu Aug-04-05 12:21 AM by blue neen

What an amazing experience.

I made the trip from Pittsburgh to SW Ohio on Sunday and returned home today. Every second of working on the Hackett campaign was worthwhile.

The turnout of volunteers was incredible. I met people from Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia. This corps of campaign workers flew, drove, did whatever they had to do to travel to OH-02, all on their own dime. What they accomplished, along with Hackett's very inspired own staff was remarkable. This was the greatest Democratic get-out-the vote effort ever in that district!

Paul Hackett is the real deal, folks. He's intelligent, independent-minded, witty, and courageous. He's a born leader and has personality to boot. He speaks the plain truth, not false rhetoric. He called George Bush a "chickenhawk" and didn't back down. That kind of tenacity bodes well for his bright future.

Young and old, male and female, black and white--they were all there, working together for a common cause, working for someone who they felt would represent them. This campaign seemed to be a catalyst for the middle Americans who are saying, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore." It showed in the numbers of votes Paul received in a district where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by a more than 3 to 1 margin.

Vietnam Veterans were calling the campaign headquarters to find out where their polling places were. Two elderly ladies in very fragile health offered to stand at the polls and hand out literature in 97 degree heat (They were thanked profusely and gently turned down.)

A gentleman called on election eve from Virginia. He said to me, "I just donated $500 to the campaign. I'm a Vietnam Vet, and I'M ALSO A REPUBLICAN." Is there anything else I can do to help? I'm sick of this administration smearing and sliming veterans. I'm disgusted that George Bush lied us into a war with Iraq." It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

The number of young people working on the Hackett campaign was pleasantly surprising. They were talented, smart, and inspired. They were composed and excited, patient and driven, all at the same time. I felt that I was surrounded by America's best and brightest. They gave me hope for our future.

Many area Ohioans opened their homes for the volunteers to stay in. I was privileged to stay with a wonderful woman in Hamilton County. She worked diligently on the campaign even though she didn't live in district 02. You see, this brave lady emigrated to the USA in 1970 from Czechoslovakia. She lived under Communism's oppression. She knows what it's like to have a one-party system; to live without the freedoms that are slowly being taken away from us here. My new friend is an activist, fighting for America's future, most notably on election reform. SHE is a true patriot.

There were posts on this site last night that said things like, "I can't celebrate the fact that we're still losers," and "Win or Go Home." I have advice for you gloom and doomers: PUT UP OR SHUT UP.
Get off your naysaying asses and get to work. We all have to sweat and toil and fight tooth and nail for every step we take in changing the direction of this country. Putting your time and energy into postive and important causes will make you feel ALIVE, and you won't have time to criticize other people's accomplishments.

So, to the Ohioans who should be proud of themselves and to Paul Hackett---------------------------------------------------------
IT WAS AN HONOR.

edit for typo