What a Week!

I have had a fantastic week.  It has been busy and my sleep debt is significant, but all of the good things that happened in between have invigorated me.

I won't bore you with the list, but one of the highlights was my endorsement by the Columbia Democratic Club on Wednesday evening Thursday morning (we were one vote shy of winning on the first ballot; four votes shy of winning on the second ballot; and finally came through with the vote after 1 am).  The effect of this endorsement on my race may not be significant, but the meaning of it is.  There will always be those who have their doubts about me.  I can't help that.  But I'm proud of the fact that I've been able to earn the support of an institution like the CDC without pandering or trying to be something I'm not.  I didn't have to overcompensate for having not been "a life-long Democrat".  I told the Club that one of my goals for this position would be to "give [potential small business owners] the resources and opportunity to grow and...make sure [Maryland] is a good place to start a business and grow a business.”

In return, the Club accepted me for who I am.  They didn't buy the attacks suggesting that I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing.  That's what bothers me the most about people saying I'm "not a real Democrat".  Not that I aspire to be whatever that means, but rather that implicit in that critique is that I am a liar.  That's why I work as hard as I do.  My actions speak for me.  If you think I don't care about the least fortunate, prove it in my work.  If you don't think I care about socially progressive values, look where my advocacy has been.  If you don't think I support small business, look where I spend my money.  If you don't think I can get things done, my only response is that I haven't done enough yet.

I'm not a big fan of strict ideology.  It is the means by which bad ideas can be dressed up to look like sophisticated policy.  But hopefully you know that about me by now.  The Club knew that about me.  Taking three ballots and sitting in the Ridgely Run Community Center for over six hours was just the dose of humility I needed to remind me that I still have a lot of work to do.  While I continue to be incredibly proud of my support by Howard County teachers and fire-fighters, hard work is the only sure-fire way to win an election.

And I will continue to work hard.  Hopefully with your help.  This Saturday, we're getting another group of volunteers together to canvass a neighborhood.  We've got a good message and it is fun to spread.  I hope you'll consider meeting up with us tomorrow, 12:45 p.m., at the Dunkin' Donuts on Route 103 (4872 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD).

Have a great Friday doing what you love!  It's impossible not to.