Confessions of Political Junkie

I confess. I am a political junkie. Last night’s Democratic Convention had me glued to the TV like a football fan on Super Bowl Sunday. I turned the television to PBS, poured a glass of iced tea, and fed the political wannabe that lives deep within me.

The night started warm and fuzzy with everyday folks testifying to their belief in Barrack Obama. I was especially enamored with the home health worker who spent the day with Obama. She was poised and dressed for the occasion, but she never looked up. She read the teleprompter with sincerity and walked off stage with humility. I wonder if she was able to absorb the magnitude of the moment.

Duvall Patrick touched me with his personal journey. The senator from Pennsylvania acknowledged that we can have key differences and yet work together for the future of this nation. For a few moments, I thought, Wow, Mark Warner is good.

However, I have almost forgotten his speech, minus the chant “four more months.” With baited breathe, I waited for her… and I was not disappointed. I have been a Hillary Clinton admirer for years, a card carrying member of the Democratic Party, a proud southerner, a closet feminist, and a not-so-scary lesbian. I value justice, hope, grace, perseverance, honesty, and second chances. I am aware the path that I often stroll down was paved with the (often trampled) hopes and dreams and hard work of another generation. While Hillary is far from aged, she is part of the generation that carved the way that lets me publish such posts as this.

The generations and other dichotomies divide us more than they unite us. But last night, I believed that we are better together – all of us: young, old, male, female, gay, straight, rich, poor, yankee, southerner, white, black, brown, or otherwise. I laughed and cried – during a DNC speech!!! I was excited and affirmed, yet I still carry an ounce of grief that Hillary Clinton will not be our next president.

In the hours that have passed since, “the greatest speech I ever witnessed”, I find myself clothed in something close to patriotism, something close to hope, something that renews my faith that my generation will create a path that our children will be proud of – a path of unity, a path of equality, a path of freedom, and a path lined with equal pay for equal work, universal health care, and secure retirement.

So, thank you, Senator Clinton for speaking directly, regally, and respectfully to each of us. We know that loosing sucks – for you and for those of us who believe in your leadership. However, your professionalism and focus reminds that you will lead from the Senate as powerfully as you lead from the campaign trail.