In Tallahassee this week I had the great honor of casting one of Florida’s 29 Electoral College votes to re-elect Barack Obama as President of the United States.
It was a simple procedure – almost mundane – as we signed our names to the ballots. But my thoughts were not mundane, and they echoed what others said that day.
“As I cast my vote for the president of the United States of America, I do so with memories of many Floridians waiting in long lines to cast their vote during early voting and on Election Day,” Rep. Alan Williams of Tallahassee said in his statement.
I too, thought with gratitude of the many thousands of committed voters who had made my electoral vote for Barack Obama possible.
Another elector, Florida Democratic Party Chair Rod Smith said, “there is a certain solemnity to this occasion — an affirmation of the great traditions of our people. [One purpose of this ceremony is to] remind ourselves that there are people who have stood up, sat in and laid down their lives to make sure this continues.” He is right that even this simple ceremony must not be taken for granted because it symbolizes the smooth transition of power that defines our democracy and that so many countries envy.
I am humbled, and once again want to thank every Democrat for their vote and for the time and effort so many of you put into winning this election for Barack Obama. While we can be proud of that accomplishment, there is much more to do.
The Florida House and Senate are both controlled by Republicans, as are all of the state Executive offices. In many ways Florida is on the wrong track, and we will need your help to defeat Rick Scott and to expand Democratic influence in the Legislature.
