While I can say that I am flattered and honored to even be mentioned in the 2007 front page candidate discussions, there have been a good number of diaries about who is worthy and so on over the past few weeks.
And while it is always good to see what the others in the community are thinking as we all look towards next year, I don't think there has been one diary thanking the current crew of front pagers for all of their effort and hard work this past year. So please, give them a round of applause (or a standing ovation) for their efforts - which were tremendous.
For starters, with Markos on his book tour, his weekday responsibilities were handled by the current crew - in addition to them (as BTD said in his diary this past weekend) "walking the halls" here. Add to that the election cycle, the research of the candidates, the explosion of new members and the spike in traffic and the fact that they were able to do the job they did is even more impressive.
Individually - they each contributed so much and this should not go unnoticed. So as to not play favorites, I'll go in alphabetical order....
DarkSyde - I was never good at science in school, and frankly, I bailed after 2 years in High School (biology and chemistry were more than enough for this guy), but your diaries added flavor to the front page, and I even learned a few things. Also, they were extremely timely in light of the full frontal assault on global warming, evolution and other issues where "theories" like those were put on the same level as faith based nonsense by our administration.
georgia10 - How you did it while studying for the bar exam is beyond me. Especially since I saw firsthand how much studying goes into this exam as I only saw the back of my wife's head as she studied for upwards of 12 hours a day for nearly 3 months. And with all that, a front page expose in the local Chicago paper to boot and stellar top notch writing as if it were second nature.
mcjoan - For traveling all across the country (and to some very "red" states to boot) in order to enlighten us here about the Democratic candidates who are running in districts that we may not have even fielded candidates in the past. And for not missing a beat in providing your insight with respect to, well, just about everything that this administration has screwed up over the past year as well.
SusanG - For bringing possibly the best addition to the community in the roughly two years since I started lurking - the Diary Rescue. Especially in a time where 300+ diaries per day is the norm and there are many many gems that go unnoticed. Of course, your writing hasn't been too shabby either ;-)
Not only this, but also the participation at YearlyKos - DarkSyde's panel, mcjoan and SusanG running all over the place for three days straight (not to mention the all-important MetaKos panel). I don't know how the 2007 crew can top this - regardless of who is chosen.
Also, a shout out to all of the former front pagers who pitched in throughout the year (and I am probably forgetting some): DemFromCT and Adam B for the in depth analysis during election season (and also sidinny for the election diary round up). Meteor Blades and Hunter for, well, consistent writing that everyone here probably aspires to write. And of course, Bill in Portland Maine for the oh-so-popular Cheers and Jeers. If there are others, then I apologize for forgetting.
Last but certainly not least - to kos himself for picking this crew.
But before everyone goes and buries the current crew, let's just say thanks for all that they did this year.