Message from the Chair
Thursday, June 26th, 2008Welcome,
The Caucus/Convention Cycle is done and we all survived! There were times when I wasn’t so sure. We all owe ourselves a pat on the back for our comportment during the process. If our founding fathers were watching, they were beaming with pride at how our process was carried out.
Now we have some bridges to repair and some party unity to strengthen. In an article I read recently, referring to the aftermath of the Democratic primary process, the comment was offered that it is not appropriate to start reading the will during the funeral. The Clinton campaign was well run and hard fought. Senator Clinton and her staff deserve a huge amount of thanks for making our choices hard. Remember when states were moving their primaries up so they would have a say in the nomination? Hillary and Barack made our choice difficult because they each brought their “A” game and played to win. We are stronger for their efforts and far better prepared to oppose the Republicans, but first, we need to take a breath and remember who we are - Democrats.
In my last message, I said that I am more proud to be a Democrat today than I have ever been. I understand my Democratic philosophies better today than I ever have. I am certain that we are doing what our forefathers had in mind when we put People first. And, I know our forefathers would have celebrated the debate from both sides before working together on advancing the business of the Democracy.
Sure there are some sore spots let from the primaries - we’re human after all. Even so, we don’t want to stay in Iraq for 100 more years and we don’t want to see Roe v Wade repealed and both are likely if John McCain is elected. Please give some thought to the core differences between Republicans and Democrats and have conversations over the back fence with your neighbors. We have eight years of damage to repair and John McCain is not the one to do the work. This is the year of the Democrat and we have George W. Bush to thank. If we elect John McCain to be our next President, we will face a third term of Bush policies. Think about it.
We have some exciting things happening here in the 5th District Democrats. Please join us at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the King County Library Administration Building on Newport Way in Issaquah. We’re working on the healing process. Let your voice be heard.
Hank Thomas, Chair