In the Rough - The Blog of Joel McDonald Jr.

Tomorrow is a very big day for politics around the nation, with Virginia Beach being no exception. It’s exciting, and I can’t help feeling that tinge of anxiousness that used to attack and keep me awake on the eve of Christmas. Yeah, it’s that exciting.

It’s been difficult for me to make a choice, let alone publicly endorse, a candidate for every race that will be on the ballot tomorrow. After adding a few very late endorsements this evening, I’m at a stopping point. While I have made decisions in the other races, I’m not impressed to endorse them here. For those I have endorsed, I hope you will take a moment to research and then hopefully vote for them tomorrow. I know it’s late, but I do believe it is worth it.

A major goal for Virginia Beach Progressives is to blog about and participate in the local politics of Virginia Beach. It’s been difficult for me to research our leaders and understand our government, but I’m learning. November 5th and forward will hopefully be a time of getting involved in the regular and ongoing politics of the city, and sharing it here. It is my hope that this blog will become more valuable to me, while becoming valuable to other citizens as well.

The polls open in about six and a half hours. I hope you will go confident in your choices and proud to exercise your right to vote.

Last night, Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Now the general election begins. I hope to be more involved from now until November 4th. I’m not sure how much time I can devote, but I haven’t been happy with not having been active in the campaign since the primary here in Virginia.

Now, it really doesn’t matter what state you’re living in. All of us need to do what we can to show that Obama is the right choice for our next President. We need to get people involved, informed, and excited. We need to register voters and make sure they know where to go on November 4th.

It’s in the small things that a big impact can be made. Do whatever you can. Every effort counts.

“America, now is not the time for small plans.”

It was a unique experience and an honor to represent Virginia Beach as one of 14 elected District Alternates in attendance at the 2nd Congressional Democratic Convention. Due to the absence of many delegates, I was appointed as a District Delegate to the convention; along with my fellow alternates.

A highlight of the convention was a speech given by Glenn Nye, who is challenging Thelma Drake in the 2nd District. I was very impressed by his service to the United States as a U.S. diplomat and development expert. Nye is currently working to secure employment for citizens of Iraq, empowering them with a focus for their lives as their nation undergoes the difficult process of picking up the pieces left behind after the fall of Hussein.

Glenn Nye shared an interesting story of how the Bush administration had contacted his agency in Iraq, asking that they make plans to use over 1 billion additional dollars. After reviewing their activities and successes, Nye and his colleagues saw no reason for the additional funding and sent word to the White House that the billion dollars was not needed. Shortly thereafter, the White House replied that this conclusion was “unacceptable”. Nye understands that additional troops, money, and time, is not what is needed in Iraq. As Representative of the 2nd Congressional District of Virginia, Nye will have the capacity to serve as his own adviser on Iraq and Afghanistan, and push for the government of Iraq to be held accountable for the rebuilding of their nation and their own security using the resources readily available to them. I will be supporting Nye in his efforts.

At convention, I had the pleasure of meeting Sandra Brandt, Chairwoman of the Democratic Party of the 2nd Congressional District and elected Elector from the 2nd District; Ollie Bates, Chairman of the Virginia Beach Democratic Party; Pat Edmonson, Vice-Chairwoman of the Virginia Beach Democratic Party and member of the school board for Virginia Beach City Public Schools; as well as many energized democrats from around the Hampton Roads area.

There were 82 total District Delegates in attendance forming the Obama presidential caucus, who voted to select 1 male National Delegate, 2 female National Delegates, and 1 male National Alternate to the Democratic National Convention. Every person on the ballot, including myself, was given the opportunity to speak to the caucus for 30 seconds before the vote.

When it came my turn to speak, I said something to the effect of, “My name is Joel McDonald, and I’m running for National Delegate because I wanted to become involved, and learn more about the primary process. It has been a thrill to be a part of the local Obama campaign; knocking on doors, making phone calls, and volunteering at the convention center for the rally. I would be honored represent you for Obama at the Democratic National Convention.”

57 of the possible 82 votes went to what had been dubbed the “Unity slate”, a group of four who were running to fill the slots described above. A few days ago, I received an e-mail from them announcing that they had been endorsed by Senator Obama. I don’t know how this group was formed, how they got an endorsement, or how they managed to have their own side of the ballot where a delegate only had to check one box to elect the lot of them; but it is they who will represent the 2nd Congressional District as the Obama delegation to the National Convention. This delegation includes Jack Howard, member of Gov. Kaine’s administration; Georgia Allen, President of the Virginia Beach NAACP and possible candidate for Virginia Beach City Council; Louisa Strayhorn, former Virginia Beach City Council member; and Larry Grossman. Congratulations to these people on being elected as National Delegates!

This officially concludes my candidacy for National Delegate. I look forward to representing Virginia Beach as a State Alternate to the Virginia State Democratic Convention next month.