10/26/2020 - remembering my meeting Joe Biden and #VOTE
It was December 2019. Things were getting revved up among the Democratic Primary challengers. My wife and I had been very active with raising for and giving to states races through Future Now and our giving circle, The Downtown Nasty Women, but had yet to fully jump into the race for President. There were so many candidates with such different backgrounds and profiles that we wanted to see how things might get shaken up in the coming months. But then I had the opportunity to meet Joe, and we agreed that this seemed like a great opportunity to check out a candidate whom I’ve known from afar my entire adult life but had never seen close-up. There had been talk about his age and his sharpness, and that maybe it was time to step aside for a younger candidate to lead the party. But I was suspending judgement.
During this event Joe spoke eloquently and passionately about his past, the wins he’d contributed to, the deep losses he’d experienced, and how his long career of service and time on this earth had uniquely prepared him for the task facing a new President in today’s troubled world. And this was pre-pandemic! I have to admit that I was somewhat taken aback by the power of his words and the manner in which they were delivered, not at all consistent with some of the more negative rumors I had heard. Then, of course, is his fight to overcome a stutter, which makes his ability to effectively communicate in the public eye amidst a sea of constant spotlights even more impressive. The haters were wrong: Joe was sharp, energetic, insightful and passionate, and projected a burning need to once again make his mark on America and its role as a global leader by example.
During our time together we had the chance to share some thoughts about our hopes for the future of our country. Fairness, equality, empathy, positivity and hope - these are a few of the things we share in common. My wife and I are proud Biden/Harris supporters and have been working hard (in addition to our other areas of activism) to get them elected. This isn’t a race that should be about a single issue, it should be about what we as a country want for our future: do we want 50 mini-countries out for themselves, or one powerful, aligned country with leadership and policies that speak to every citizen, not just a few in power? I know my answer. What is yours?
On the cusp of an historic election, I’m reminded of how important it is for each of us to have a voice, and for that voice to be heard. Regardless of the obstacles standing in your way, it is so important that you take advantage of your civic right to be heard and to participate in our democracy. #vote