What a short, strange trip its been. I guess I can tell you now what has stolen my blogging time for the last few weeks.
It was a little after noon when I got the call from Esther, Rodger Koopman’s campaign manager, telling me that Jessie Taliaferro had conceded the race for Raleigh District B city councilor. The call marked the end of five weeks of intensely hard but curiously satisfying work to help get him elected.
I was drawn to the race when I learned September 5th that he was Jessie’s opponent. I felt she wasn’t listening to her constituents, what with disregarding their recommendations for Horseshoe Farm park and all. Before I met Rodger I supported him mostly because he wasn’t Jessie. After meeting him I supported him for who he is: a smart, passionate, and wickedly funny advocate for Raleigh.
Quickly I joined the Koopman Krew, becoming deeply involved in the campaign. I studied the voting numbers, helped craft the messaging, and opined on voter moods. Night after night I drove around Raleigh, blistered hands planting new campaign signs along roadways and replacing lost ones. Two sweltering weekends were spent riding my bike through neighborhoods, canvassing literally hundreds of voters. I organized Rodger’s poll greeters, making sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to do and then spending all Election Day checking up on them.
I faced down appalling campaign dirty tricks.
It was exhausting. It was exhilarating. I’ve never worked so hard. I was passionate about the cause, though, and did not stop – could not stop – until I had done all I could.
My MT.Net readers have endured my rants about politics for years. I used to believe that nothing would ever change, that the game was rigged so why bother? In a battle pitting people against money and power people always lose, right?
Wrong. Fantastically, gleefully wrong.
When people are committed to a cause they believe in, miracles can happen – and they do. My new friends and I stood up for our right to be heard at the table. We simply wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I am extremely proud of the work each one of us accomplished. It was a true privilege to be a part of such a vibrant, committed team. Rodger got elected, I got a wonderful political education, and – because of the way campaigns bond people the way military battles do I made friends I will likely have for life. I got involved, worked hard, and doggone it if we didn’t win.
Its a new day for Raleigh. I’m proud to say I played a part.