Losing, like a winner

I volunteered for Mark Pera for Congress, a heated democratic primary race on the south side of Chicago and suburbs.

Mark Pera did not win. His rival, the incumbent - a joke of a Democrat supported by the Chicago powers-that-be - won handily. I won't go on about why Pera lost - or about how little his opponent did to earn his win. I just want to say this: Mark Pera is a great man.

I stood in a bustling banquet room when he came in with his staff to concede the loss and thank everyone. He shook hands, expressed genuine appreciation and dismay at losing the election.

Today I got a voicemail on my cell phone. It was Mark Pera:

Hey Amanda it's Mark Pera calling... I'm sorry it's taken me a while to get to you to thank you for everything you did for us and the campaign and let you know I really appreciate it. I know the outcome wasn't really what we expected but sometimes that happens. In any event I did want to call you and thank you for all your help. Take care.

That really makes me proud to have been part of Pera's team, win or lose.