...and then we won Iowa....

Last night, we changed the world.

I grappled with the above statement. I thought it an exaggeration. I thought it was hyperbolic. That statement wants too much, I thought. I thought it was impossible, through one political act, to change the world.

I was wrong.

But, last night, a black man with a funny name and an odd background won the Iowa Caucus and is one giant step toward the presidency of the United States. And he didn't just win; he won big. This nation won big.

This was not just a self-interested win for us and our candidate. This represented a transformational shift in American democracy and in the conventional political paradigm.

As the Senator said in his acceptance speech: "They said this day would never come. They said our sights were set too high. They said this country was too divided, too disillusioned. But on this January night, at this defining moment in history, you have done what the cynics said we couldn't do."

This speaks to the larger issue that this country is hungry for change, and yearns for it now, at this moment. It speaks to the bottom-up nature of this campaign and to the importance of the grassroots. The grassroots feed this campaign. Each of us has a stake here. Each of us is accountable for this campaign's success.

Last night, we changed the world. Everyone is watching and it is our responsibility now to show how much further we can go. We can celebrate now, but tomorrow the important work begins. There is much to be done, but with a fresh voice, renewed hope, and a clear-eyed commitment to the ideals upon which this nation is founded, that work will be done. And we will prevail.

Now, let's get on to New Hampshire. And let's kick some ass.

Thank you so much for your hard work and support,
Johnny Bardine
Co-chair, Netroots and Rapid Response Committee
Media Coordinator