Campaign 2006: President Clinton's Visit Inspires Michigan Democrats
Alma
The last six years have been so depressing for your average Democrat. Everywhere we look, Bush has been destroying things, no hope in sight. Dems giving in to Republicans at every turn. But every once in a while, something happens to re-energize you and makes you proud to be an American again.
Let me tell you about one of the best afternoons of my life.
I received an email on Sunday Aug. 13, inviting me to a jobs rally on Aug. 15 with Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Sen. Stabenow, Rep. Dingell....and a Special Guest... President Bill Clinton. The rally was going to held only a 15-minute drive from my home, which was almost as exciting as the guest list because attending anything good usually requires a long drive, but for once good luck was paying me a visit and staying awhile. I sent in my RSVP right away, and one for my husband too.
As I waited with increasing anticipation for the big day to come, I was so excited I could barely sit still. My friends were almost as excited for me as I was, and bid me a fond adieu (that's French, Tahoe) in our chat room. We left early, hoping to get a good parking spot and were able to park only a block or so away, but it seemed like miles. Waiting in line got kind of tedious. Security people were still checking the venue out for bombs and stuff, and telling people to take their bags back to their cars. There was a sniper on one roof, and news vans all over. We stood in line for about 45 minutes before they started letting people in. The tedium of waiting in line was eased by the entertainment provided by anti-abortion protesters and anti-Israeli protesters, who had shown up to prove beyond any doubt that being stupid in public is a Republican tradition. Listening to the people around us talk politics was energizing though, and we joined in.
Finally they opened the venue. It was an outside event that just had waist high metal bars around it. There was no security check as we went in, that really surprised me. The workers handed everyone a bottle of water as we went in.
Once we entered we went to the middle of the stage about 50 feet out from the stage. There was about a 20 foot space between where the stage was and where the crowd was allowed to stand. So we only had about 10 rows of people ahead of us. We had a great view! They were playing old Motown hits, and I must confess, I was kind of dancing around. It was a carnival atmosphere and very enjoyable.
As the event got started they passed out signs for Granholm and Stabenow. Homemade signs weren't allowed. Debbie Dingell did a great job emceeing the event. Dem after Dem was up on stage firing the crowd up, even Little Jimmy Hoffa!
Then the big moment arrived and Granholm appeared . . . she was greeted by everyone raising their signs, which I was fully in favor of, except it blocked my view! When the music stopped and the signs were lowered I got the surprise of my life. Seeing Granholm was exciting, and seeing Bill Clinton standing by her was even more exciting, but the biggest surprise was seeing the quiet, sweet man beside them--Congressman John Conyers Jr. My HERO!!! I got tears in my eyes and as everyone else was screaming "Bill, Bill, Bill", I was screaming "JC! JC! JC!" It was like time had stopped. I kept thinking, "My friends at Soapbox4truth are never going to believe this."
Bill Clinton, ah . . . what a speaker. He hasn't lost any of his charisma. He had everyone enthralled and in the palm of his hand. Telling us we had to get the facts out. How the Estate tax bill gave more money to the rich, and deprived our soldiers and vets of benefits they need, how it could have brought the deficit down. About how the Republicans can't balance a budget. Item after item he went through. I wish I could have recorded it, for I was kind of star struck trying to watch JC, and couldn't devote my full attention to it, but it was a wonderful speech! There was such a feeling of belonging. Being with people willing to fight the good fight with you. Everyone there for one purpose. It was a natural high that lasted for days. Such a feeling of completion, of fulfillment, of peace. It was like the best sex anyone ever had or ever will have until the end of time.
My husband has plenty of extra incentive now, and if he tops this, Soapbox readers will be the first to know.
That incentive appears about to be demonstrated, so I'll leave you by noting that the rally was held only a few days before Bill Clinton's birthday, and when he mentioned that, I started singing happy birthday to him and everyone joined in to drown me out. Yes, I sing that bad!
I hope everyone attends campaign rallies for Democrats in their area, it's very important to support them publicly and enthusiastically. We can inspire them to fight harder, just as they can inspire us to fight harder. Together, we can restore democracy to America, and that's exactly what we are going to do.
Comment # 1 ~ Rusty ~ 08/23/2006 23:10 GMT Thank you, Erik, for your eloquent treatise on the loss of fear and morality in this dark era of BushCo tyranny.
Comment # 2 ~ Reed31463 ~ 08/23/2006 23:54 GMT Welcome home Erik and thank you.
I think you just framed the past two years of my life. Could you please pass a Kleenex? I am having a funeral for my former life next month.
Comment # 3 ~ Alma ~ 08/24/2006 00:21 GMT If we are ever going to have faith in our leaders again then we need a whole bunch of new leaders because this bunch just doesn't cut it.
Comment # 4 ~ Patriot ~ 08/24/2006 07:07 GMT Thank you for your article, Erik. And welcome home. I've missed you and we need you. You bring fresh insight and energy with you.
Comment # 5 ~ tahoebasha1 ~ 08/25/2006 14:21 GMT Very insightful and heartfelt article. I think we all mourn a certain desensitization. Thank you, Erik.
Comment # 6 ~ Rusty ~ 08/25/2006 18:17 GMT I hope we'll see more articles in the future from you, Erik, thanks again.
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