November 3 and I'm bummed. Still, I found my cynical heart moved by an eloquent and strong concession speech from John Kerry. That might be the key right there. A way to grow out of the confinement of perpetual opposition that liberal Democrats find themselves in. At least, I as a liberal Democrat, seem to be protesting each step away from belief in equal oportunity, equal rights and social justice; to no avail.

I resist our nation's shift toward the Republican's vision of our society. It's economic Darwinism that benefits the large corporate interests of our economy at the expense of small business and labor.Yet small business and workers are the core constituents of the Republican Party. Even as small businessmen and women chase after the ever dissappearing mirage of membership in the ever narrowing slice of our society which is prospering from the policies of George Bush, the big winners in the Bush Cheney firmament reap their tax cuts, harvest the support of the little guys and keep telling them to run faster, do more with less.

John Kerry reached down into his core to speak with dignity and resolve of his beliefs and his gratitude for those who made him their candidate and shared his battle for the presidency. It was a moving experience for me to listen to him. I wasn't often moved by Mr. Kerry's words during his campaign. He isn't much at scripted oration and he doesn't often lose his self-consciousness enough to reveal himself. That's OK by me. Unlike a large part of the electorate, I'm not looking for a buddy. I don't need a daddy. Don't want to have a beer with my candidate. Couldn't care less if his marriage is a positive role model. I want someone who can govern competently and humanely.

The man who spoke in Faneiul Hall on the day after he lost the election for president showed a warrior's heart and a warrior's weariness and he put into words my hopes and sadness. I don't think for a moment that my candidate has lost his will or his willingness to represent me in the life of our nation. He certainly hasn't lost my support.