Back From The Break
Well, I suppose the good news is this: 14 weeks after serious surgery, I’m almost back to myself, which is to say, 80 pounds lighter than I was last summer. My back is still a mess and the primary reason I’m still not up to full speed.
My break during December, January and February from this blog was planned, although I’d hoped to be back writing here by mid-Feb. But, as seems to be the the usual course of events these days, politics got in the way. No, I won’t be appearing on the ballot this fall, which is probably good news for the 60-plus percent of people in this state house district who didn’t vote for me four years ago. And, frankly, I haven’t decided about running for township supervisor again in 2009.
But one thing appears to be true: I’m going to run for something at some point again. Not this year and maybe not even next year, but the time will come.
In the meantime, I’m managing races — I’m signed to a house race this year in the northern part of Chester County and expect to run one and maybe two county-wide races next year. I’m really OK with the idea with helping other smart talented people get elected. Change is what you make of it.
As for my relationship with the Chester County Democratic Committee: it’s probably not a big secret that I’ve had some rocky moments with the organization and some of the leaders. But it would be hypocritical of me to call for changes, see them start to be made and not embrace them and support them. And so I have. Aside from managing a race, I’m now co-chair of the county party’s communication committee and I will have a hand in how we present message, both to the media and to voters. It’s an exciting prospect from my standpoint.
And as a party, we’re about to reach an important milestone: 100,000 registered Democrats. Combined with the number of registered independents, we’re coming very close to equaling the total number of Republicans in the county, which means despite last fall’s results, we should again see county-wide races in play in 2009. It also means that in addition to defending our two current legislative seats — Sen. Andy Dinniman and State Rep. Barbara McIlivane Smith, we should be able to snag a couple more seats in 2008.
We have open seats in the 13th and 157th Districts and with strong, strong Democratic candidates, I’m feeling bullish about winning both. Maybe more impressively, I think we’ll knock off at least one incumbent, too. I wish it were more — because with a couple of exceptions our Republican state house members generally only get to stay in office through the luck of the demographics of their districts, not because they’ve done such a great job. Some, frankly, have been deplorable, but that is a discussion for another day.
Chester County will also be among the key areas for the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton battle. Who’d have thought the Pennsylvania primary would matter? And maybe even be decisive? I’m impressed at the passion of both sides in the county and the way it seems to be driving excitement for Democrats, independents and even some Republicans, who are switching registration to vote in the primary.
Me? I can’t lie or play it down the middle. I’m an Obama supporter, although I have many friends supporting Clinton. I expect whichever candidate wins, and I expect it to be Obama, Democrats will form up into one united, powerful mass and support the nominee.