So, what just happened?

[summer_in_TX]

38. Yes!

I was angry with the media, the wealthy donors, and especially Democratic representatives and senators. I was sure they were wrong, that if we motivated people just got out and spoke to enough people we could overcome the weight of negativity on top of Joe's terrible performance at the debate and the awful optics I knew the Trump team would use endlessly in ads against Joe. I even knew "seeing is believing," which is why video is so very powerful at persuading. But I still thought we could get win.

An interview with one of the members of Congress who had gone public made me realize that he loved Joe but he was doing what he thought had to be done to save the country from dictatorship. I could tell from his voice that he wasn't being glib, he truly believed that. I couldn't be angry with that motive. I'd been assuming it was just a contagion of fear first and then realizing that the big money donors withholding money was against their political self-interest. But really, I had long been impressed with our Democrats for not being the double-speaking type of pol I'd always distrusted. I began trying to see it from the point of view of their genuine belief instead of assuming bad motives.

I spent days writing tweets trying to persuade others, and emailing the White House begging Joe not to drop out and sharing how much I wanted the rest of his vision to fix the country to be able to be completed. (I think I emailed three times.)

Fear was definitely there too, of a conflict between ambitious people when there was no time for that. Guess that "Dems in disarray" stereotype was hiding somewhere in my brain.

I've never been more thrilled – and relieved – to be wrong. The way the party came together in record time was nothing short of miraculous, in my view. Watching the energy and enthusiasm building like a geyser was catching.

Then there was Kamala's visit to the Delaware campaign headquarters to thank the volunteers and talk to them and the public. Her genuine love, joy, and gratitude were palpable. She was completely natural, didn't put on a persona now that she was the presumptive nominee. I'd forgotten just how charming and fun she is. And then Joe was on the line, and their genuine mutual respect, affection, and gratitude made me tear up. Then she delivered her remarks, beginning with her experience as a prosecutor in a county in California and I recognized how superb a communicator she is.

We are in good hands with Kamala and, I believe, the vast majority of Democratic leaders in the House and Senate. They were wiser than I realized, although I hated the public comments and having the President we love and respect have to deal with the loss of support for him continuing as the nominee. I know Joe doesn't hold grudges and has forgiven them. I suspect he's recognizing the personal advantage of being able to focus on being president and accomplishing more great things on behalf of us all.

Now we have a lot to do, not only to elect Kamala, but to ensure that she has a Democratic House and Senate to work with. She won't be able to do nearly as much for us if we don't get that accomplished. Part of how we do that will be to tell everyone possible about Project 2025. Personal conversations, not online. And of course, the other necessity is ensuring our candidates have enough money to run and get their message out.

I think of the Old Testament story of Joseph, whose brothers had sold him into slavery, and what he told them years later when they came to Egypt during a terrible drought hoping to find food to survive. Essentially he told them that though they'd had bad motives, God had used it for good. I don't think our people had bad motives although it sure seemed like it at the time. It may be that many of the donors didn't either. Whatever their motives, God used it for good. As MLK said, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." After the assassination attempt on Trump, I feared we would be in for many long years before things turned around and resumed moving towards justice. But now I'm convinced we will prevail in November and be able to continue setting things right.