| To get to where we are I suppose it makes most sense to explain why I am here.
Unlike most people I know, I did not start my political inv olvement in the college YD's or working as a staffer for some campaign or elected official. I am pretty ordinary. I have a husband, a daughter, a fulltime job, and volunteer my time to the Democratic Party because I believe it is the right thing to do.
I first decided to get into politics by a leader who inspired me to get off the couch.
It was that simple - Inspiration.
Before that leader, I was working hard, traveling for my job, my husband in college full-time, and we were doing our best to provide all we could for our daughter. One day, during one 2004 Democratic Presidential Debate that all changed. I heard, then Sen. John Edwards, say the American people know they control their own destiny. Until he said it, I did not in fact realize I could have involvement in the decisions made by my government or who was elected to office - other than with my single vote. It was in that moment I wanted to be a part of something bigger - to serve my country and Commonwealth.
I wanted to share that part of my story to demonstrate how very idealistic I was then, and even now as a local elected official and party activist, I am now.
This year, Democrats are very fortunate to have three very qualified candidates for Governor. Over the years, I have been very fortunate to get to know two of them very very well.
Senator Creigh Deeds, on a personal level continues to provide the inspiration John Edwards gave to get me off the couch. He was the confidant that encouraged me to run for office, reminding me that people run for office when they must not when they want to. Creigh was also instrumental in Mathews County with his support of Ralph Northam for state Senate. Moreover, at present I know more people in Mathews who support Creigh Deeds than any other statewide candidate, including McDonnell. I can go on and on about the deep respect and admiration I have for Creigh Deeds. I sincerely hope that after this primary, Creigh and I will be able to pick up the pieces of our now shattered friendship - not that he should, to me, I mean considering I chose to endorse the "other guy."
Brian Moran, in his own way was instrumental in my personal growth as a leader and Democrat. I remember first meeting Brian at the Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Richmond in 2006. When I met him, I said, "It is not every day a girl get's to meet the next Governor of Virginia." Even then, I did not really understand politics and did not realize that years later he would be running against my inspiration Creigh Deeds for the same seat. Never the less, here we are. Brian is a great leader, and can work a room better then most people I have ever met or will ever meet. He is handsome, charismatic, and has worked very hard in the State House to help elect Democrats not only at the State level, but at the local level too, helping to keep our farm team ready to go. Brian was supportive of my run for school board, and I am forever grateful for his confidence in me. Again this is another friendship lost this year.
When it became apparent both Creigh and Brian would go head to head for the Governor's seat, I personally called both of them up and told them I could not endorse one over the other. It was impossible.
The neutrality changed when Terry McAuliffe entered the race. But not at first. When I first learned Terry was running I was upset. Wondering why he was coming in to "our" Party to disrupt what had already been decided, by who I don't know, but Creigh and Brian were the candidates for Governor and that was it. Where did he get off deciding to run for governor?!?!?
Needless to day, on the way home I realized something was very wrong with the way I had allowed myself to view politics, and government.
I could not allow myself to go down that path. I then opened my mind and my ears.
Terry got me fired up during our very first phone conversation. I was actually excited! That hadn't happened in a very long time.
I was having a horrible day at work, one of those days when nothing is going right, my computer wasn't responding, I was up against a deadline, and then the phone rings with someone wanting to talk about nothing related to what I was doing at the time. Nevertheless, I took the call. I will always remember that call. Terry was full of energy, ideas, insight. After our brief conversation I felt energized, and went back to work with a positive attitude, knowing I could indeed get all that was before me completed. Someone seeking to be elected, provided that sort of energy? That was and still is exciting to me.
After months of soul searching, and knowing personally I would vote for Terry, I decided to publically endorse Terry McAuliffe for Governor. Some may wonder why, and my husband still asks me why I would open my mouth at all. It makes sense to question why not to just stay quiet, it is almost as if I am turning my back on Creigh and Brian who are great leaders and good friends. Not to mention all the fabulous people working on their campaigns who are not talking to me now. Why make an endorsement at all? Friends are disappointed, and Creigh and Brian are not exactly happy with me... So why even open my mouth?
This diary began with me telling you about the inspiration it took for me to get off the couch. Since those days, I have seen things I wish I didn't know. The actual inside workings of politics. The deal making. The way localities have to go to Washington D. C. and Richmond begging for money to keep core services funded and functional. I have seen a fabulous state Senator taken to task for standing up for his district and his willingness to work with Republicans to get what was needed for his constituents.
In the end, I realized this year that there could be a possibility that I could loose that inspiration; lose hope of what we can accomplish in Virginia. I could forget why I give so much time volunteering, and walk blindly down the path.
I don't want to be stuck in the political "box." The "box" that is Richmond politics as usual, and those inside the "box" are content with how things work. I see myself as more of teetering on the "box's" ledge I want more. I want to be inspired. I want to know that there will be an end to the fiscal pinch we are all feeling in local government and our homes. I want to know that if I work hard I will stay employed, have heath insurance, keep my house, and not disrupt my daughter's dreams for the future. I want to know that in some way Virginia belongs to us, and that we can work together to make it a better place to live work and play.
That's when I really started to listen to Terry McAuliffe. I read his "business plan", which makes sense to me as a businesswoman.
A plan is a road map to success in my world, why not have one for government too?
I am not like most of my friends in politics. I work full-time as a marketing director, I live in little Mathews County - Not Richmond or DC, I don't have the resources or the time to go to all the fundraisers around the state and I am not involved in politics for the star gazing, but more for the idea that in some small way, my energy, ideas and involvement can help to make my Commonwealth and County a better place to live. See, I am still quite idealistic, and I don't want to lose that.
Terry McAuliffe has thrown out the politics as usual "box". He has BIG ideas. Ideas that seem impossible, until you consider the individual steps it will take to get there and BAM you realize it is possible. Terry inspires me. Terry gets that we need to get our neighbors back to work so they can keep their homes and essentially the lives they live and to do this we need to bring more jobs to Virginia. Terry understands education, not only in the sense of the political rhetoric we hear campaign after campaign, but in the sense that if we do not have an educated population we will not move forward as a Comm onwealth. Terry has done his homework, and has plans to get the job done. Terry inspires me to hope for more.
The hope that Terry brings, is the same inspiration that caused me to get off the couch, it is the same inspiration Barack Obama brings daily to our nation, and now I want all of Virginia to have the audacity to dream, to hold on during these tough times, work hard to make Virginia the best state in the country.
Terry McAuliffe is the candidate who fills me with hope and inspiration. At the end of the day, it is about what is best for Virginia, and Terry has the fresh - outside of the Richmond "box" - perspective to bring those big ideas to fruition to benefit all Virginians.
Like many who have endorsed candidates this year, I have caught some heat, for not being loyal to my "friends," but at the end of the day, the office of Governor is bigger than any single friendship I will ever have. It is an office held by Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, A. Linwood Holton, and of course, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine. It is an office where great things can happen when coupled with superior leadership. Personally, I think it is my responsibility to support the candidate who is thinking that Virginia can be better than where we are today and has the vision to look toward tomorrow.
We can do better, and Virginians deserve better. My personal endorsement of Terry McAuliffe is one that comes from a place of personal desire to make Virginia better for my daughter. On June 9, I will cast my ballot for Terry McAuliffe. Then, every day leading up to November 3, I will support our Democratic nominee for Governor 110%. |
