I was so glad to catch another rally for Doug Jones. This one featured a free concert by St. Paul and the Broken Bones. It was kind of funny, because when they came out to open the show/rally, St. Paul joked about he only had one broken bone with him. It seems the rest of the band had to go play for other gigs. But he had an amazing voice, and the guitarist was just fine and grand.
It was an unusually cold evening for Birmingham, Alabama last night. Even so we braved the cold to get out and support Doug Jones in one more great rally at Boutwell Auditorium. The crowd was a mixture of elder, middle age, millennials, and 18+ voters. I would say a mostly white crowd, with a smattering of POC.
This rally was the third event for Doug Jones on Saturday. He started in Selma, then Sumter County at Alabama College. Along with local rep Terry Sewell, Senator Cory Booker, and former Govenor Deval Patrick. Everywhere Doug Jones went, he spread his message of inclusiveness, and helping out all Alabamians. But mostly he emanates a positive vibe with confidence and intelligence. This man can get out in front of a crowd of 800+ folks, with just a mic in his hand and talk about the issues at hand. He didn’t need notes, or a podium or a teleprompter. Just his own skin, he wasn’t even wearing a tie. I figured he must of been kind of tired, all the miles, and all the speeches, and people. But it didn’t slow Doug Jones down one bit. He has a terrific sense of humor, and great sensibility. He came out and was energized, funny, humble and very convincing. As I watched him speak, I thought, he really does look like a senator. This man could be our next senator from Alabama. He didn’t do lip service to the crowd, he talked to us, gave us reason to believe we can make a positive change. Doug Jones didn’t take credit or preen about like a rooster. He humbly gave credit to the good people of Alabama, all the volunteers, everyone who wanted to make a positive difference. Doug insisted it wasn’t about him, but about us, the people he would serve. The people he would serve. Yes, a public servant, that is the job he is applying for, to be chosen by the voters of Alabama.
Doug invited former Govenor Deval Patrick up onto the stage to help sell Doug’s vision, our vision of a better tomorrow. Deval was wearing jeans with a suit jacket, which I thought was pretty fly. Very cool fellow. But mostly he stressed the importance of GOTV, knocking on doors, calling, helping your neighbors get to the polls.
Doug Jones has run a great campaign, and he will be doing this to that last voter gets to the polls. Even today he is holding another rally, Sunday December 10, 2017. Appearing with Doug will be Rep. Terry Sewell, Senator Cory Booker, and former Govenor Deval Patrick. They are all in to help with the last big push to get Doug Jones over the finish line. Doug Jones has earned the respect of many folks who didn’t even know his name before this race started. He is a for real human who would do us a proud if he wins this race. We are now 2 days away from the finale on this thing, and I am gonna keep on getting the word out. Helping folks to learn about Doug Jones and helping them get to the polls.
This is it people, we are gonna know on Tuesday if all the hard work of so many will payoff in a much deserved victory and senate seat for Doug Jones. But mostly this isn’t just about this race in Alabama. It’s about all of us, as our future well being hangs on a thread by those hell bent to destroy something that so many worked so hard to create. What ever happens I will always throw my support behind those that believe we can be better, we must for the good of humankind. I hope you feel the same. I end this diary with one last image of Doug Jones knocking on wood last night. I knock on wood all the time, sure it is silly, but it sure can’t hurt. So knock on wood, knock on doors, get out and vote for Doug Jones for a better future for all of us.
See ya at the polls on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. VOTE VOTE VOTE