Burnt Orange Report

A Mother's Tale

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Sometimes I get lost in all the media and I never would have thought that talking to my mother would be just what I needed. I called her the other day, after feeling quite foolish for my pre-Iowa comments about how good everything looked from the inside of the Dean Campaign. I thought that I was going to have to reassure her about what was going on.

How wrong I was. She was the one telling me to not lose faith. My just over 40 year old mother, and independent liberal who voted for Perot, Gore, and soon for Dean was telling me about how the media was being so unfair and that now was the time to work harder. She tells me how she just had to give another $100 donation.

It spurred me to give a little more and I will be leaving for Arizona next weekend because this isn't over by a long shot.

But what surprised me was that my normally 'scared of technology' mother and father are now writing letters with the Dean campaign tools, using the online fundraising page (House Party in Fredericksburg- 40 people, $1000+ raised. Fredericksburg is like 85% Republican), and now is even started to comment on the Blog.

This was her post. And remember, this isn't from the stereotypical teenage commenter...

Dr. Judith Dean is for real! Humble, sincere, honest. I love the fact that she doesn't put a show on for the media, no "Washington Wife" here, what you see is what you get. Her family and patients are the most important things in her life, and Howard obviously respects and loves this woman for her beliefs and values (which he also shares).

Howard Dean rocks! Finally, an honest candidate who isn't afraid to show who he is. The reason the media keeps focusing on him, is that they don't know how to deal with a "real" person with honest feelings and emotions. The media is trained that if you don't understand something, attack it. They just don't get it. Howard Dean is the real deal, not some blow-dried pre-packaged politician like Kerry.

Howard and Judith are down-to-earth, practical people. (Yes, a flowering bush for a gift makes perfect sense- pay for it once and reap the benefits of its beauty for years to come- this is a man who can balance our budget.)

Support Dean! Vote Dean! Go, Dean, Go!

Love your parents. Never feel as if they can't surprise you.