Folks,

It has been some 13 or 14 months since I first signed up to be a volunteer for Richardson, and while the ride has ended much sooner than I would have hoped, it has been a good ride and I have no regrets. We did some good work, and I sincerely believe that we have had an impact on the current campaign.

Certainly, Bill Richardson has helped shape the conversation of the campaign. His position on Iraq is now a mainstay of all the Democratic candidates. His position on energy, immigration, health care, education and No Child Left Behind, and on and on. Bill provided specifics and, at least in some cases, he forced these topics into the campaigns. Just watch, I fully suspect that much of what Richardson proposed will find it's way into the positions, policies and campaign promises of the remaining candidates.

He did good.

We did good.

And, don't doubt for a minute that he will not be back in the national spotlight at some point in the future. More people know of him today than did a year ago. He'll be a voice in our nation for a long time to come.

So, what about us? Where do we go from here?

Some of us will move our support to other candidates, or get involved with local campaigns. Some of us, like me, will sit back for a while to decide where, when and how to carry on the passion we've given (and been given) as part of Richardson's campaign. There are many possible answers to the questions above, and each and every one of us must find our own direction.

I only ask one thing - well two things.

First, please don't lose your passion.

If you can work for another candidate (at any level), do it.

Or get involved in your community. There are new voters to register. There are local issues to be championed. There are reasons why we all came here in the first place. Remember those reasons, and use your talents, skills and passion to have an impact!

My second request: Please take a page from Richardson's actions and words (at least here on the Richardson site) with regard to the other candidates. I've already seen comments in favor of other candidates (which is fine), and others that disparage the remaining hopefuls. Please, don't do that here. Richardson took the high road. We should do the same.

Finally, if you've read some of my previous comments, you know that this is all new to me. I came into the campaign as a mere volunteer and somehow became the host of the Pennsylvania group - for which I blame Richard Ponzio (the previous host) and Jeff Gulko. In retrospect, I have to thank them for arm-twisting me into doing it.

There are many here who have done much more for the campaign than I have. Folks like Brenda (who is a house-a-fire and an asset to whatever effort she next undertakes). People like Shaun who delayed a trip home from the west to go to Iowa and volunteer for the caucuses. Everyone who came to Philadelphia for the Drexel debate and waved signs and raised the presence of our candidate. To everyone who hosted or attended a round-up, a debate watch party, put a sign on their lawn, in a window, or put a sticker on their car or lapel, I sincerely thank you.

While I won't be able to fulfill my promise to one fellow Richardson supporter to dance with her at the Inauguration, I owe you all a figurative, if not literal dance. I'm glad that I met many of you, and regret not meeting all of you. But, I hope our paths will continue to cross over coming months and years.

The email address I use for these communications was set up exclusively for my activities with the Richardson campaign. I will keep it active and hope that we can keep in touch.

JFRice24@aol.com

So, I guess this is my last "official" comment as host of the Pennsylvania for Richardson Group.

As I've said before, we can change the world.

Well, we have.

Let's keep doing it.


John Rice
Host, Pennsylvania for Richardson (retired)