VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
In the 2024 presidential election…
Like your life depends upon it…
It does!
The Democratic National Convention, which was a resounding success, is over; Kamala Harris – for the people, and Tim Walz have accepted the nomination of the American people to be their nominees for president and vice president of the United States of America and Kamala Harris – for the people, has called us, the American people, to action. So, in the words of former President Barrack Obama at the close of his convention speech, “lets get to work! I’m starting by writing and posting this article to encourage E V E R Y O N E to get out and vote in the 2024 presidential election; you must vote, before the polls close, by TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024.
Just a few short weeks ago Democrats were deeply depressed because the Party seemed to be completely lost and in total shambles after President Joe Biden crashed and burned during his debate with the former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America. The former occupier of the Oval Office and all Republicans could not hide their glee after the debate.
The press had all but called the election, before ballots had even begun to be cast, for the former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America. They scourged President Biden and demeaned him with negative comments about his debate performance and declared Trump the winner while they winked at his total disregard for the truth in the comments he made, parried questions the hosts asked him and, instead, pivoted to subjects that he preferred to address.
The former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, with his chin raised high, could not resist projecting an air of superiority; his self-proclaimed air of superiority that he feels is his birthright: not just an air of superiority over President Biden in this debate, but over everyone in every way. After all, according to him, he is the chosen one. Trump believes that his supporters should shield him from all harm and accusations leveled against him. Unfortunately, and without doubt, President Biden had committed a major blunder that had gifted Trump and the Republican Party with a major campaign boost; as if they needed it.
The Democratic Party was in total disarray and the only way back from this debacle would be for a politician at the pinnacle of power to willingly cede that power to another politician which was completely unthinkable. Democrats had good reason to be depressed and their Party leaders desperately searching for a positive way forward. Democrats were in an untenable situation and Trump and the Republican Party knew it. That is why they were so giddy after the Biden-Trump debate. But in their giddiness, they failed to account for the Democratic Party’s secret weapon: love of country more than love of the job; love of principle more than an insatiable desire to cling to power. These things were personified in the very man that the press skewered because he lost the debate; President Joe Biden.
And as if he knew this and sensed that to cede his power was exactly what he must do, President Biden did the unthinkable, he ceded his power to Vice President Kamala Harris. The former The Donald J. Trump of the United States of America and this new Trump-led Republican Party were taken totally by surprise because they had long ago abandoned all principles that they once held and, ostensibly, love of country more than love of power. Now the Republican Party was completely discombobulated because their plan A, which was to wage a personal attack on President Biden in every way possible and malign all his policies, was suddenly obliterated and there was no plan B.
THANK YOU PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN. WE LOVE YOU, JOE. Thank you for your integrity and for being the decent and caring man that you have always been: thank you for standing on principle and placing country above your personal political ambition. These Republicans were completely incapable of anticipating this move because they no longer espoused principles or honor; the only thing they have left now, so far, is power and their sheer determination to cling to it. And when Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are elected president and vice president – then hopefully, they, like their leader who has experienced it already, will be removed from public office and never allowed the honor to serve again. America deserves better!
What a difference three weeks make; 504 little hours! In this short period of time Democrats went from complete despair to euphoria and a packed, energized Democratic National Convention while Republicans went from overwhelming giddiness to complete despair. The script was totally flipped. But Democrats cannot afford to rest on our laurels. Speakers at the convention emphasized that this will still be a tight race and each of us must do their part to help assure that Democrats win this election so that democracy will be preserved. And because democracy is on the ballot, that means that everything that it provides is on the ballot.
With this in mind, everyone should, no, must vote. In the words spoken by former First Lady Michelle Obama at the convention, “do something”! That means we should not only vote but we should encourage others to vote. We should not wait to “get the call” from the campaign to make our contribution, whatever that might be, to help save democracy but we should do it of our own volition because America’s current situation demands it. So always remember, whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, your vote is the most important one of all…unless you don’t use it!
Eulus Dennis – author, M2: Street Cop To Top Cop, Operation Rubik’s Cube, and Living Between The Line