The Prologue of a Journey: "How Did We Paint Florida Blue"

Family, friends, and colleagues, what a week! I had to take a few days to marinate on the reality of the extraordinary moment witnessed this week. As promised, my 50th Blog would genuflect on the seminal journey of this remarkable political experience and transformation for all of us.

First, let me take you back to my precinct where I volunteered as a poll watching attorney. I volunteered to protect the rights of voters back at my former high school, Miami Southridge Senior High, in South-Miami-Dade County (851/827). I wanted to return to the first place that gave me a safe place to learn when I first migrated to the United States. And I am glad I did. I recognized former students, teachers, and neighbors. I even helped my own little sister vote in her first presidential election. It was like looking into a mirror.

I arrived at 6:30am and there were about 300 persons in line. Remarkable. I walked in and introduced myself to Miss Carolyn (above) one of the poll clerks. She said to me, "You look handsome in your blue tie, but how can I help you?" I said humbly, "I am going to find myself a quiet corner and I am just here to help support you." She retorted, "Goodie."
I said to myself, "We are in good hands."

Later that morning dusk, as the voters poured in, I offered some of the other clerks some fruit juice from my secret "charm the poll workers" stash. They were most appreciative, except for Miss Carolyn. She commented, "What happened to me, I don't look like I am working here as well and in need of hydration." I replied, "But of course, democracy needs to be quenched. She smirked and guzzled my cranberry juice.

The day progressed with a steady flow of voters, young, old, disabled, Black, White, Hispanic, East-Indian. All working folk. The neighborhood had not changed much. Truck drivers, bus drivers, teachers, students. Hard working Americans. You could tell the first time voters - with the nervous hesitation in which they entered the room. But they were determined and most simply came in to vote for the top of the ticket - which was unfortunate.

Later in the day, my Republican counterpart arrived 4 hours late. He proceeded to insert himself aggressively at the problem table. Then, he met Miss Carolyn who told him that his physical presence was hindering the process and that he should take a comfortable seat in the corner. He proceeded to recite the Florida statute to her as to his right to be watchful over the process. He should not have gone there. This is after I had warmed up the room in our favor. He quickly realized that she was not someone to mess with, unless he had some cranberry juice, snacks, and extra pens for voters.

The day ended with a spurt of workers closing their shifts. The last voter left at 7:40pm. And in the end, Obama prevailed to an estimated 760-214 votes. My precinct was painted BLUE.

We painted Florida Blue on the backs of a ground game that was built around dinner tables, lunch meetings, community rallies, art shows, barbeques, birthday parties, and house parties. We painted Florida Blue with $10 bills. We painted Florida Blue with the engagement of new Florida voices of young people and immigrant communities. We painted Florida Blue with the backing of loyal Clinton supporters. We painted Florida Blue in persuading fringe constituencies such as the Cuban-American community. We painted Florida BLUE by storming Tampa and Orlando and increasing voter turnout in North Florida/Panhandle and South Florida. We painted Florida Blue by building a hurricane of voices over the warm sea of a resonating CHANGE message. We painted Florida Blue because we believed in ourselves - WOMEN FOR OBAMA, CARIBBEAN-AMERICANS FOR OBAMA, ORLANDO4OBAMA, JEWS FOR OBAMA, THE TAMPA BAY O-TRAIN, HAITIANS FOR OBAMA-CHANJMAN, GLBT FOR OBAMA, AFRICAN-AMERICANS FOR OBAMA, and on and on. We hoped. We believed. We voted.

We painted Florida Blue because we took this time around seriously. Just like, Miss Carolyn (in her BLUE rim glasses). We were not playing with this moment. Now the real work begins, let's commit to the CHANGE WE BELIEVE IN. Follow the journey at http://change.gov/.

On December 15, I will submit my vote as one of the 27 electors in Tallahassee. I will remember your voice and break out my BLUE paint brush.

God Bless.