Turn Out the Lights, The Party is Over, by Bryan R. Parker

I woke up this morning full of vigor. I had the unexplainable feeling one sometimes gets that lets you know its going to be a good day. I thought, “was it a big new job”, “would I win the lottery”, “make plans for an exciting vacation”? Turns out it was none of those things, but something much bigger, both for me and the country. Around 3pm pdt today I learned that former Presidential Candidate John Edwards would endorse Barack Obama. I was excited.

I ran to tune into CNN only to find an interview running of Hillary Clinton, while a crowd waited in Michigan for Senators Obama and Edwards to arrive. Despite her largely hallow victory last night in West Virginia, Senator Clinton had vowed to fight on until a nominee was finally determined. This was the sentiment reported in this morning’s papers. Imagine my surprise to see an interview with a largely conciliatory Senator Clinton saying she respected Senator Obama, thought the party would unite, and ultimately vote, for the eventual nominee, and that, should it not be her, she would do everything in her power to help that person win the general election. I was shocked to see this level of honest resignation, especially in a person who had vehemently pledged to continue fighting even as the odds stacked more and more against them. It was not until Wolf Blizter chimed in and said this interview had been taped earlier that I really realized the race had ended, and everyone, including Senator Clinton, knew it. That Edwards would momentarily endorse Baraack was just icing on the cake. For those who have watched Monday Night Football long enough to remember, I was reminded of the song Don Meredith use to sing when the game was out of reach for one team or the other “turn out the lights the party is over…”.

Yes, the party is over for Senator Clinton. It is time for us to unite. That includes, in my opinion, reaching out to Senator Clinton for her support. Senator Clinton has been a warrior in this campaign, and although she fractured some feelings, and wounded some egos, I think we would be remiss, as a party, if the party does not reach out and include her in the fight against Senator McCain.

I am so glad that the feeling I had this morning, the feeling that today would be a good day, turned out to be true. We stand at an historic moment in history. An African American stands on the doorstep of the Democratic nomination for President. An African American, an who is first an American, who is uniquely positioned to bring change to the country, and who has a very good and realistic chance of becoming President of the United States is in and of itself exciting. We can not, however, allow ourselves to settle for this accomplishment. Such a victory would itself be hollow.

The prize here is the Presidency, and bringing the one leader who is capable of bringing true change and uniting our country, must be the goal. Our hardest days are ahead. We will need to continue raising vast sums of money, walking the streets, calling voters and generally working hard. I think, together, we can accomplish this goal.

To me, the luckiest part of this day, is seeing our country at such an historic inflection point, the excitement by people of all races and creeds for the political process, and knowing that, while small, I, and many others like me, get to continue playing a part in this process. For that I am grateful.