Joe Biden's departure from the Presidential campaign, though forced by circumstance was, nonetheless, a courageous act of patriotism, and not to be discounted as anything less.
It brought us a sense of relief and optimism, something we'd lost in the last few months, and set the stage for a new star to rise from the west, someone we knew, but somehow didn't really know.
Kamala Harris was ever present in her role as VP, but barely broke through the consciousness of most of us, even those who understood and supported the significant accomplishments of the Biden Presidency.
Biden managed, despite a divided Congress, to pass legislation that is rebuilding America's infrastructure, while advancing the battle against climate change.
And so it is Kamala, like most citizens a child of immigrants, who now stands before us, asking for the opportunity to serve. And I use that phrase deliberately.
There are many ways of leading, by fiat (as autocrats do), by consensus, by majority rule, by making back room deals, and some, the best, by serving.
A Leader as Servant is a person who does not stand above her followers, but who reaches down and uplifts them, gives them opportunities to succeed, and champions their success when do. Servant leaders focus on creating positive outcomes, not on their reputation, their ego, or the power they legally possess.
I think Kamala Harris is that type of leader, the clear opposite of the former President, whose sense of duty doesn't extend past the end of his own nose.
So, I am both relieved and optimistic for the first time in months. Relieved that Vice President Harris is now the Democratic nominee for President, and optimistic because her performance in that role to date has far exceeded anyone's expectations.
Still, anxiety persists.
Harris is facing an opponent who lacks the barest hint of a moral compass, a man who will do anything—legal or not—to deny her the Presidency, regardless of who the voters have chosen.
He and his cohorts have spent that past three years packing state and county election boards across the country with MAGA devotees who brazenly brag about their intention to break the law by failing to certify the vote whether or not it goes in his favor. Their unstated goal is to delay the counting of electoral votes beyond the legal deadlines so that the race is thrown into the House of Representatives, where Republicans currently hold a significant lead, and are likely to maintain that lead in the new Congress.
How can we, especially those of us New Yorkers, where Harris's electoral victory is assured, make a difference in this battle?
As usual, it comes down to money.
The Harris campaign needs to have enough resources to not only convince American voters to choose her name on the ballot, but more importantly, to pay for the hundreds, if not thousands, of lawyers that will be needed to contest the spurious MAGA certification strategy in multiple courts after the election on November 5th.
To help go to KamalaHarris.com and donate to her campaign. It's a simple process.
Fifty, twenty, even ten dollars helps, because millions of small donors supporting the Democratic ticket will help convince independents that these candidates are worthy of support. Give what you can, and share this message with friends who might be willing to help.
Do it now while you're thinking of it.
And remember, there are other ways to help the fight. If you live in a contested Congressional District, support the Democratic candidate. The more House seats Democrats win, the better chance Harris will have if the election gets thrown into that snake pit.
The battle is being waged on a variety of fronts and we're determined to defeat Trump.
JUST DO IT.