My first political rally
Tonight I attended my first live political rally. I was there as a volunteer for the Franken for Senate campaign, wandering the hall with a clipboard, asking people to sign up for volunteer shifts over the final two weeks before the election. In the bargain I got a great spot in the crowd to see a galaxy of local, state, and national stars of the Democratic party. I only wish the camera on my phone wasn’t terrible.
You know who you are, Motorola Q.
Featured speakers: Chris Coleman, R.T. Rybak, Amy Klobuchar, Ashwin Madia, Hillary Clinton, and of course, Al Franken.
One thing I picked up at the rally that I didn’t consider before: Even if we elect Obama president, unless we have 60 Democrats in the Senate (enough to override a filibuster), it will be difficult for Obama to make the changes he’s running on.
I’ve come across a few people who are true-blue Democrats and planning to vote for Obama but are on the fence about Franken. Maybe they were keen on Mike Ciresi or Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. Rather than pull the lever for they guy who beat their favorite, they might skip that section of the ballot, or worse, just re-elect incumbent Norm Coleman.
Look, people…if you like Obama, and you want to see him succeed, the most important thing you can do (after voting for Obama) is give him a strong Democratic majority in the Senate. For me Franken is an easy choice, but if you’re wavering, just remember that if Coleman gets re-elected and if that costs Democrats the 60 seats they need, it only takes one Republican knucklehead to filibuster any and all laws that need to get passed to see any real change in this country. This scenario doesn’t do you, me, Ciresi, Nelson-Pallmeyer or America any favors.