The way it ended

It is 2:22 pm on November 3rd, and John Kerry has stepped down from the podium and stage, and assimilated into the crowd.

The truth is that this is not easy. This is a very difficult and heart-wrenching day. This is not how I envisioned this day, and it hurts.

I am sad today for John Kerry and his family. I am sad for the people who worked with him from day one. But most of all, I am sad for America. Today was a day when I saw a man who would be a great president, denied. Today, I saw the continuation of an administration that ignores the real interests of the American people, a regime that feeds on fears and distinguishes the ideas of those who counter their own.

Surviving the next four years will be very difficult, knowing all the while that John Kerry could be there. There will be Supreme Court justices appointed, the war will continue along the same deadly path, the international community will continue to see America as an uncaring bully, health care will continue to grow out of reach for the poor, education will become more tested and less embraced, our environment will continue to be raped, and most of all - there will be a presumption that all of this will be done with the backing of America.

A mandate? What mandate? What about 55+ million who spoke up and said they didn't agree with the President? There is no mandate! There is division... very evident division.

We will not be swept away, because we have not won this election. We will not let our voices go unheard. You cannot ignore this many people.

...

I am proud of John Kerry. His concession speech was a testament to the kind of leader he is and will continue to be. He was heart-felt, honest, and strong. He was exactly who I have come to know in this campaign, and I am extremely sad to know that others would not or could not come to know him that way, as well.

I believe that many will have regret as these next four years unfold. I believe America will begin to see what kind of mistake this election will turn out to be, as the Republicans begin to sweep through with legislation and decisions that will hurt America in both the short and long run.

As hopeful as I want to be, I see no hope with this president. I see no hope.