Jennifer Brunner E-Mail--Says What I've Been Saying For A Long Time (Resurgence Will Be Short-Lived)

[ChoppinBroccoli]

Tuesday night was a huge disappointment for so many Democrats. I know from my own primary election loss just 6 months ago that it won't be easy to work through-for ourselves, for our dreams and for how we believe our state and country should progress. But I also know that coping with the midterm elections' aftermath in Ohio and around the country should not entail the "blame game" or retreat.

Despite the election results, there is no huge mandate for conservatism-just an angry clamor for change faster than it's been coming. Voters are clearly frustrated, and they became even more frustrated at one of the ugliest campaign seasons ever. Many feel a sense of relief now that the expensive attack ads that criss-crossed the air waves, the mailings, the telephone calls and door knocks have finally ceased.

Unless those like presumed new House Speaker John Boehner move toward consensus and courage and away from doing what it takes to please those who fund them, it's unlikely that voters will see the kind of change they angrily told us about with their votes on Tuesday. I predict the pendulum will swing and swing fast if they don't. So we have to be ready.

Here's my suggestion: Get involved in an issue or cause you care about deeply. You don't have to support a candidate to pursue a passion for doing what you believe is right. You can start with joining an online group or you can even start writing and sharing your thoughts with others who share your interests. Google it; you can find it. What you have to say matters, and you can speak with more than your vote. We learned with the President's pocket veto of H.R. 3808, stopping a bill from becoming law that would have made foreclosure fraud easier, that people working together CAN make a difference.

I'll be pushing hard for the things I care about in the days ahead, because I know it can make a difference. Just four years ago, I was faced with the daunting task of reforming Ohio's election system. Through the power of people working together-my staff, boards of elections, our Voting Rights Institute members, volunteer lawyers and voting rights activists, advocates and academics from all over the U.S., nonprofit grant support and the support of people like you, we did what none thought possible in such a short time-and Tuesday's election showed our continuing progress in improving Ohio elections, even if we weren't entirely happy with the results.

We're all part of a community. Whether or not Tuesday's winners had our votes, we want them to do well for us. Our advocacy on issues matters-so our leaders hear us and can continue to act on and react to what we have to say. If we're not paying attention, we won't know what to do at our next voting opportunity.

I'll keep working, and I hope you will, too.



Jennifer Brunner
Ohio Secretary of State