08 November 2006

Campaign's End.

It's over. The recounts mean little now, except for the few that hold on to dim hopes that error or last minute ballots will tip the balance. This will not happen. It is simply not in the cards.

The win is in, and now it is time to work.

Welcome back to the big game, President Ortega.

You'll see a different set of Democrats in the American Congress. A different George Bush that sits not in the V.P. Chair, but in the White House's Oval Office. You've made up with those in the Sandinitas who helped to oust you in the '80s. Now they laud your name and hope for governance.

Could your's become the model Presidency for other would-be-democratic nations? Who's next? Lebannon? Lybia? Iraq? Iran? After all, your push to ban abortion, desires for a stronger, free-market economy and the former President, Arnoldo Alemán, was convicted on corruption charges.

It sounds all to familiar.

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After hearing about the unconfirmed loss of R-Virgina, Senator George Allen, and challenger Jim Webb's win ensuring the Democrat majority in the Senate.

I am reminded of a quote by a great man, who believed in the power and importance of an American speaking their mind, for it is truly the right of all American people, regardless of religion, sex, or credo: Samuel Clemens.

"No party holds the privilege of dictating to me how I shall vote.
If loyalty to party is a form of patriotism, I am no patriot.

"If there is any valuable difference between a monarchist and an American, it lies in the theory that the American can decide for himself what is patriotic and what isn't.

"I claim that difference.
I am the only person in the sixty millions that is privileged to dictate my patriotism.”

- Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens, A Biography


To those of you who broke with your party, to vote your conscience: heroic.

To those of you who who acted today with humility and piousy: audacious.

To those who would see a majority alone as victory, or consider the gains of the now as the goal entire: myopic.

This day is one of many and the victory of a group represents the contributions of far more than the few who claim it. Today, we all are one party; and we have a great deal of work to begin.

Congratulations.