A Dark Day

Today is a dark day for Democrats. Not only have we lost the White House for the next four years, but the challenges in the Senate and the House have grown tougher. For all of us who invested our hearts and souls into winning this election we have little solace. Over time the election of Barack Obama will be one of the proudest moments I will ever have as a Committeeman and I know you share this feeling. The victory of Melissa Bean is a great victory and she brings a majority for the Democrats in the Illinois congressional delegation. That isn't something to scoff at, but I am deeply concerned about what is going to happen over the next four years.

George Bush will be leading a deeply divided country. This is obvious even to the most casual observers, but I am not sure the White House sees it that way. There was a lot of talk about mandates today. That is the rhetoric of the victorious, but in a White House that believed and acted as if they already had a mandate after suffering a loss of the popular vote these new results will only embolden him to pursue his more radical agenda items.

As Democrats we are going to have to learn, and learn very quickly, how to protect the programs and policies that we have spent several generations developing and refining. Fundamental change is inevitable, be it the Supreme Court, Social Security, Reproductive Freedom, a progressive tax policy and a foreign policy that will continue to emphasis the military might of our army rather than the moral right of a just cause.

Today is a day we should rest, regroup and regain our collective energy. The next four years will require us to work ever more vigilantly, be more determined, and more dedicated to our values.

We have lost, but we have not been defeated.