My 86 year old mom voted today (House of Reps fight in US top 10)

[Omaha Steve]

I got off from work today at noon. I promised my mom I would get her to the polling place. Nebraska's second district has one of the premiere fights for the house in the country. A six term Republican Lee Terry, verses the best D the second district has had in ages, State Senator Tom White. The polls all say this is to close to call.

She just moved to a seniors apartment after 60+ years at the home I was raised in. The change of registration and vote early from did not get to the election office in time. She would have to go to her new location to vote (ward 1 precinct 6 in old Florence).

My mom has suffered for years from Fibromyalgia and other ailments. She was in great pain today when I went to pick her up. I told her she could stay home. One vote wouldn't matter. She said "I must do this". "Just get me there". We had no experience with her new polling place, a catholic church. First we went to the school door. At the desk we were told we had to go to the church a block away. More walking for her bad leg as she hobbled on a cane. More stairs, and they really bother her. We got to the church. A deep flight of stairs and a turn at the bottom.

I left her there to ask if there was an elevator in the church. It was built in the 50's and I didn't think they would. What a relief when I learned the far end of the church was updated with a single person (450 pound limit) use elevator several years ago. I put her in the elevator and raced down the stairs to meet her at the bottom.

She walked the length of the church again. We explained mom would have to vote on a provisional ballot. Paper work to fill out. As I filled out the paper work she said with obvious pride to the poll workers "I'm a Democrat". They all smiled. She signed the forms and got her ballot.

Mom was allowed to vote at the table instead of going in the booth. The only race I was worried about was the White vs Terry for Congress. She marked Tom White (Democrat). I asked if she was ready to go since she didn't feel good? She said I'm here. What is the next important race. I told her the Governors race, even though we won't win. She filled in the circle with her #2 pencil.

She looked at several uncontested D's for county offices. I thought we could skip them. She wouldn't have any of that. She kept filling out her ballot. Office after office. We skipped the ballot initiatives and a few minor things, judges etc. She gave the election judge her ballot. I got her on the elevator and raced up the stairs.

I saw a bench she could sit on while I went to get the car so she wouldn't have to walk another block. On the way to the bench mom told me things I've heard all my life. She said "my mom and dad told me all my life the Democrats are for the poor and the working people". Unfortunately mom forgot this a few times when listening to her many elderly friends. Not today! She went on to say "I'm voting for my children's future". "Lee Terry wanted to privatize Social Security". She ran through each child, grandchild (including my first daughter Bobbi that was adopted out at birth and came looking for her family 3 years ago), and great grandchildren by name.

Mom doesn't have many days of clarity anymore. I don't think she has much time left. I was so proud of the day she had today. My punctuation is off. I don't type well through tears.

Omaha Steve

[aquart]

1. Bless your mom.

[we can do it]

2. You're Making Me Cry Too

Lost my mom the Friday before b@@sh stole 2004 - but she had voted absentee - said the last thing she wanted to do was vote the jerk out.

[Dappleganger]

4. Same here.

As did yours. God bless those moms. :(

[Mortos]

5. My Grandma Jarboe said the same thing

Democrats are for the working people. She died in 2006 at 91 years of age. She was one of the kindest most giving people I have ever known. She is a major reason I am a Democrat today.

[rosesaylavee]

3. I don't know you or your mom... but have to tell you that I just love her.

You were lucky to have that role model in your life. It shows in all that you do here.

[beac]

6. Great story. Yea for your mom! Tell her a bunch of strangers are smiling tonight thanks to her.

:)

[TuxedoKat]

7. Ahhh...

God bless your mom, give her a hug from me and a thank you.

TK

Former Omahan

[handmade34]

8. your mom deserves lots of hugs

when my husband was dying his last vote was in the hospital... good people don't miss a vote, if they don't have to.

[flvegan]

9. Great story, Steve.

Thanks for posting it.

Cheers to your mom.

[Omaha Steve]

10. Thank you all for the public & private replies

One family member that I know of so far didn't make t to the polls today because of a last minute emergency. She will be properly registered and vote early next time.

[Omaha Steve]

11. Update on White vs Terry

http://www.omaha.com/article/20101102/NEWS01/101109924/1120#neb-terry-wins-heineman-cruises

Published Tuesday November 2, 2010

In the end, U.S. Rep. Lee Terry waltzed into his seventh term in Congress.

Terry trounced Democrat Tom White in a race that many thought would be his toughest when it began last year.

But all that changed this year, as the national Republican wave washed into the Omaha-based district.

Terry said Tuesday that he believes voters are giving Republicans one last shot to get the nation’s fiscal house in order.

"A lot of people wanted to send a message tonight, and we have to act on it," said Terry.

Terry ran his race as a repentant Republican, who acknowledged that his party failed to control the budget when they were last in power.

He also ran on a promise to repeal President Obama’s health-care law.

Terry has faced three years of tough elections. In 2006, Democratic newcomer Jim Esch unexpectedly came within 10 percentage points of Terry. Esch then made a second run, coming within 4 percentage points in 2008.

White appeared to have a strong shot when he announced in the summer of 2009.

Terry said he still considers White the toughest challenger of his political career. He noted White raised money, nearly $1 million. And, as a trial lawyer, White never shied away from a political fight.

"It was a slugfest, bare-knuckled, middle of the ring fights – that’s what Tom is about," said Terry. -- Robynn Tysver

In other Nebraska Congressional races, incumbents Jeff Fortenberry of District 1 and Adrian Smith of District 3 won easy re-election in their respective races.

Fortenberry led with 66 percent of the vote in early results against Democrat Ivy Harper.

Smith had collected nearly 60 percent of votes in his race against challengers Rebekah Davis and Dan Hill.

MORE at link.