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Benjamin Downing

3 Nov, 9 tweets, 3 min read

Almost 17 years ago, my Dad passed away. I think of him every Election Day. But this year, its a little different. Most Sundays, after my Dad passed, I would call my Grandma. She lived one street over from us. Growing up we went over to 28 Howard Street most Sundays after church

The conversations those mornings covered everything - from the homily and readings to politics - and the same was true of my calls from DC to Howard Street. Gram would ask about the issues of the day, which was funny because she was normally better read than me.

One day we started chatting and she mentioned she was disappointed she missed Meet the Press, because "that Tim Russert is so good and I like Joe Biden. He's one of us." I thought the line about Biden was about him being Irish Catholic. But I came to realize that wasn't it.

My Grandfather passed away not long after the 9th of the kids in my Dad's family was born. Loss & tragedy impacted every decision my Grandmother, aunts and uncles made, as they held their world together, with tremenous help from community, family and friends.

I still remember my Grandmother grabbing me during my Dad's wake, opening her palm and showing me a "Downing for District Attorney" pin.

@JoeBiden

When she said "He's one of us" about @JoeBiden - she wasn't talking about him being a Democrat or Irish Catholic, or even the combo of the two (which my Gram might have thought locked up your passage through the pearly gates). He was one of us who lived with loss.

I don't pretend Joe Biden is perfect. Far from it. I spent my winter going door to door in Iowa and NH for Elizabeth Warren. But don't ignore the value of sending someone to the White House who knows what it is to be broken.

@JoeBiden

I got to introduce @JoeBiden in Holyoke in 2008. He asked a bit about me when I started and all I could muster was that me introducing him would make my Gram proud.

@JoeBiden

On behalf of my Gram, my Dad, my brother, my Aunt Peg and the too many we've lost too soon, thanks @JoeBiden for showing us how we can become stronger at the broken places. Now lets get you to the White House, so we can help do the same for the country we all love.

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More from @BenjaminDowning

Benjamin Downing

@BenjaminDowning

26 Aug

@MassGovernor

This is a great look into how utilities wield their power on Beacon Hill, especially when they aren't being pushed to do more by @MassGovernor - I have a few additional thoughts I am going to add below #mapoli

https://twitter.com/itai_vardi/status/1296472334187012096

It's a small thing, but key. The major MA utilities will generally register their opposition at Committee hearings to aggressive climate measures, then make their substantive arguments in one on one meetings with legislators, regulators and staff. Outside of the public's view.

Advocates, other committee members and the public aren't there to refute claims. There is already a power imbalance in these debates as utilities are seen as experts, but what is too often lost is that expertise does not come without bias.

Read 8 tweets