Well, the results are trickling in, and it's pretty safe to say we did it. Over 5000 posts and almost 200,000 pageviews later, Fetterman won.
I remember taking a bus to Pennsylvania to see him speak in 2016. Back then, Fetterman was the Bernie guy. He was part of my clique and seemed interesting enough, so I went to see him speak. I saw a mayor from a run-down mill town making something beautiful out of it. I heard the stories you and the rest of this nation heard – the tattoos on his arm, his GED program, mentoring kids, everything. I saw him do the tough work that needed to be done to make his community better.
When I left that hall that day, I knew he would do great things. I still have the picture of us lying around somewhere. Even at 6'3, I look tiny and emaciated next to him. Six years and a lieutenant governor run later, here we are. John Karl Fetterman is a f**king Senator.
It's been a long campaign season, and probably the one race I've followed closest this year. Only the NH-1 primary and Bernie 2020 come close. There wasn't much need to pay attention to NH this year, I wasn't ideologically aligned with my candidates anyway, and I spent 4 years of my life in Pennsylvania. That and I've been enthusiastic about Fetterman for years.
There are too many supporters to thank individually – R2D2, Mr. X, Ferguson, KhanofKhans, GALeftist... I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch more. It's been great Posting with you and being in the trenches, fighting off the doomers, Republicans, and relitigators. It sure as hell beats the fighting of the 2020 primary.
To OC, who never let me live down that week where I thought Lamb would win the primary. You were the only person more optimistic than me about Fetterman. You were the one telling us all not to worry. Fetterman will win the primary, and he'll win the general. You were right about everything.
To wbrocks, thank you. I know we butted heads in the primary, but you gave the same energy and more for Fetterman in the general. I'm so glad to be wrong about you - you even managed to out-stan me! You'll always be a dear friend and I'm glad to have you on our side.
It's rare that I have such feelings of hope or investment in elections. The Nevada primary in 2020, that random carpetbagger losing in NH-1, these moments come and go. They don't compare to now. Today was the first time I cried. I'm glad they're tears of joy, knowing our country's in a better place.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.
~Sawx
