Final Pre-Vote Thoughts on the 2020 NH Primary: A Thread
Every sentient American understands the stakes of the 2020 election. We here in the early voting states have been - to varying degrees - immersed in an unprecedented whirlwind campaign cycle for the last year. 1/
Every sentient American understands the stakes of the 2020 election. We here in the early voting states have been - to varying degrees - immersed in an unprecedented whirlwind campaign cycle for the last year. 1/
I've posted before about how, as a 2016 Bernie delegate, I came to support @ewarren this time around. I won't rehash that in detail here [link: ], mostly because I'm not sure my experience matters, and I'm pretty sure that it mostly shouldn't. ;-) 2/
That said, as an engaged NH voter who also happens to practice immigration law for a living, I have lived some of the most insidious effects of the current administration in an extremely personal way. 3/
I speak frequently with people who've been crushed by this POTUS' immigration policies. Broken families; struggling businesses; sad schools; mystified houses of worship; caring communities … they all wonder how this can be? I don't have a good answer for them. /4
Personally, I've faced the targeted wrath of white nationalists from within and beyond NH. They listed my office address. They shared a photo of me, my wife, & my youngest child. You don't even want to know they say about me in their chat rooms. /5
So, beyond all the policy; all of the substance; all of the examination of records of public service and accomplishment … beyond all of that, I 'm looking for one more major quality in our next President … /6
I want someone who understands how to stand firm & fight hard, but who does so with grace, kindness, and inclusivity. I want someone with a direct, verifiable record of tangible policy achievements which have quantifiably helped many Americans. /7
I want someone who exudes decency, empathy, & warmth, while being indescribably tough & resolute. I want someone who's so secure in herself, that she courts opposing views when formulating policy. I want someone knows you can lift people up without tearing others down. /8
I want someone whose intellect allows them to see the big picture like few can, and translate that bird's-eye view to specific, tangible, attainable goals which will immediately & concretely improve the lives of millions of our most marginalized friends & neighbors. /9
At the same time, I want someone who's not so fragile & egocentric that they cannot learn, grow, or admit making mistakes. Sincere apologies are considered virtuous in real life; why should they be deemed liabilities in politics? /10
I want someone who knows that "the fight" we're in is not about tearing down allies, but is about standing up to the myriad injustices raining down upon us from DC. I want someone who didn't pick this fight, but who's gone straight into the belly of the beast, for all of us. /11
I want someone who understands that unity is not simply a shrewd election strategy; it's the most critical component to effective governance. I want values-based vision over triangulation; I want consistency over reactivity. /12
By and large, the Democratic field shares much of their agenda. But, I want the candidate who's made the strongest case for getting more (though likely never all) of that agenda to become reality. I want a candidate who can do it, because she has done it. /13
At the stroke of midnight, we NH voters will begin casting our votes, but we will also help write the next chapter in the 2020 election narrative. After a year of paying hyper-close attention, the choice for me is clear: I'm all in with @ewarren . /14 #AllOfUs4Warren #LFG
For anyone who wants to engage in good faith, I am (almost literally) all ears. For anyone who wants to lob personal &/or other misplaced vitriolic attacks, please direct those to some other dimension of the digital ether.
Happy voting . . . and may the best candidate win. /15
Happy voting . . . and may the best candidate win. /15
