By Elliott D. Petty

I wonder if they have a morning-after pill for Election Day?  It be great to pop one and not have to worry about the day after Election Day blues.  No longer would a losing candidate have to worry about retiring their campaign debt.  On the bright side, the winning candidate and his or her volunteers could finally get some sleep, run all their errands they've set aside for weeks like paying those pesky bills long after the due dates.

Fortunately, I'm waking up on the bright side this morning, over the last two months I've had the distinct honor of aiding Jacque Robinson for Pasadena City Council.  She placed first among vote getters in her race and is slated to be in a runoff next month against a retread republican business owner for the traditionally African American seat.

Jacque, a progressive, 28-year old candidate shocked her family and friends (myself included) when she announced that she would be running for office last fall.  I remember working with her during the governor's special election.  It was her first involvement in a campaign.  Having a little fun, we tried to scare her, warning about the 12 hour work days with no off days campaign workload.  She remained composed and did an outstanding job on behalf of the California Teachers' Association's efforts in South Los Angeles to push back the governor's right wing agenda.

Next thing we know, Jacque becomes one of 20 lucky people from across the country recruited to participate in Senator Barack Obama's Hope Fund Political Training.  She got the bug and set her sites on improving Pasadena.