Today, all the Democrats won

[For purposes of disclosure, Al Gore was my favored candidate.  But alas, he chose not to run.  I continue to hold Al in high esteem, but I write this diary to show respect for the Democrats who did have the will to run for President, which Al seemed to lack this time around. --rd]

Barack Obama deserves much praise and congratulations, to be sure, for a historic victory.  But as I watched the results and watched the speeches and read the analysis on various blogs, it occurred to me that this is a victory for every Democratic candidate for President.

The huge turnout was not only due to Obama.  

The huge number of young voters was not only due to Obama.  

The huge numbers of Independents voting in the Iowa Dem Caucus was not only due to Obama.  

Instead, all our Democratic candidates were responsible for this great rising tide where all progressive boats are rising.

This is a Progressive Victory!  What else could you possibly call something where voters in Iowa participated 2 to 1 in an open field Democratic Caucus vs. an open field Republican Caucus.

So I thank John Edwards... for moving the dialogue toward a more populist message.  One that pays attention to the middle class and those in poverty.  One that wasn't afraid to take on corporate interests.  One that spoke to many of our most progressive ideas and ideals.

And I thank Hillary Clinton... for fighting courageously against a lifelong hatred by Republicans.  For bringing the Clinton spirit back into electoral politics.  For giving hope to women that they are indeed electable and will fight hard for our ideals, too.

And I thank Bill Richardson... for taking a courageous stance in bringing our troops out of Iraq, now!  For offering that combination of experience and executive experience at the State level.  For giving hope to people of every race and ethnicity in our nation that there is room for all.

And I thank Joe Biden... for speaking his opinions forthrightly and honestly, in a way that truly honors the 1st Amendment, our Freedom of Speech.  For having an experienced view in foreign policy and bringing that to the Democratic debates time and again.  And for telling people like Dick Cheney that he doesn't know what he's talking about.

And I thank Chris Dodd... for defending our Constitution.  For showing what true leadership is while campaigning for President.  For not missing important Senate votes while on the campaign trail.  And for addressing perhaps the most important dilemma we face today, the rollback of Executive Power grab by the Bush administration.

And I thank Dennis Kucinich... for representing the most liberal ideals within this campaign.  For not being afraid of single payer healthcare.  For moving the terms of the debate leftward, not rightward.  And for drafting and pushing articles of impeachment against the lawless President and Vice President who are currently in power.

And I thank Mike Gravel... for offering yet another different and unique voice during this primary season.  For showing up to debates and forcing the audience and other candidates to look at issues from all sides.  And for his past service to our country in the military and in political office.

And, of course, I thank Barack Obama.  I believe that like the others, he represents change in our politics... a progressive change.  When he says that he listens to others I believe him.  I believe he has listened to Gravel, Kucinich, Dodd, Biden, Richardson, Clinton and Edwards during this campaign.  He is not immune to their great ideas.  The current White House occupant is the poorest listener of mankind.  I believe Obama is the opposite, a potential Listener-in-Chief.

All of these candidates galvanized the entire state of Iowa, to trudge through cold and snow and participate in an ultimately democratic process to change the direction of our country.  When the final tallies are complete, I'm sure they will show Obama carrying a pluarlity of young voters, a plurality of independents, a plurality of new voters.  But let's not forget that all the candidates contributed to this historic turnout.

So let's go forward as Democrats with optimism.  Optimism is not always easy with a Democratic Congress that often capitulates to this criminal administration.  It's not always easy with some of these candidates playing it cautious at times, and not taking the morally correct stance on a given issue.  But what we have seen tonight should give us hope.  Hope to soldier on and continue to push our candidates in a progressive direction and end the politics of destruction of these last 7 years.