One Year, Looking Back

Yesterday evening, a dozen Klickitat Democrats met up at Everybody's Brewing to commemorate the one year anniversary (just a day late) of Barack Obama's election. It was a great turnout, with PCOs from White Salmon, N. Fruit Valley, Lyle and Trout Lake among the attendees. Everyone enjoyed the casual conversation, and we all got to know one another a little bit better.

We also checked election results online, and looked for some silver linings in the nonpartisan races. Among them: White Salmon city council and several fire district results. We all had a good laugh about 'Jobs' getting a 1300 votes in the LD race he withdrew from, then unwithdrew, then conceded well before election day. What else could we do? We couldn't help but notice the percentage of the vote was a little bit enhanced. There were actually 800 undervotes, so his percentage was actually 23%, not 27%. At least there were 800 voters who knew the score.

The statewide ballot initiatives were headed in a progressive direction in Washington as a whole, though results in our county were as expected. I1033 won (61-38%). Slightly more encouraging was the vote on R71 for enhanced domestic partners: (58% against-42%for).

Then we all got to thinking about how we felt a year ago.
Barack Obama told us on November 4, 2008:

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America -- I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you -- we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand."

These words are honest and true today. He has done a remarkable job in the face of incredible adversity in the nearly 10 months he has been in office. All present stood by their votes, and we have recommitted ourselves to doing the hard work it will take to make our country the best it can be. And to having more of these informal gatherings!