I wanted this day to be Hillary's.
I fought, I donated, I hoped.
But when it was over, and Barack Obama was clearly the choice of the party, I fell in line and promised to support his election, if for no other reason than because I knew he would be better than the alternative.
But something happened. Along the way, I stopped being anti-McCain and started being pro-Obama.
And it's because of you.
Your pictures of the gorgeous and gracious Michelle Obama.
Your videos of Obama's most moving words.
Your relentless insistence that yes, he is the real thing, yes, he represents real change, yes, we can.
I watched the Democratic Convention with you. I wept with joy when you forgave Bill and Hillary for the ugliness of the primaries.
And despite the naysayers on cable news, despite that small band of Hillary "supporters" for McCain who threatened to destroy us from within, despite the fervent wishes of Rush Limbaugh and his ilk, our convention was a glorious display of party unity, and also of vision. At last, Democrats had a message and a way of speaking to the American public and yes, even a bumper sticker.
And that was because of Barack Obama.
I became an Obamabot on the day Barack Obama accepted the nomination. I went to my local headquarters, asked for a pin and a bumper sticker, and signed up to volunteer.
In the months that followed, I made calls and trained other volunteers and gave, gave, gave as much money as I possibly could.
And now we are all here together, on this glorious day, the end of a nightmare and the realization of a dream. And I have wept with you and celebrated with you and enjoyed every moment of it because of you.
So thank you, Daily Kos. And thank you, President Obama.