I have been a long-time reader and occasional contributor to this website. The few people who recognize my handle will know that I'm an HRC supporter.
I have always been, and am now more than ever, a Barack Obama supporter. I want to get a few things off my chest.
First, I fully expect Hillary and Bill to come out full guns blazing for Obama, once Hillary concedes, which she will. If they don't come out with all their energy, not just with lip service, but with all the passion they can bring, I will absolutely concede I was fundamentally wrong in my support of Hillary.
Second, I will come out full guns blazing for Obama. I have contributed $1,000, in $200 increments, to Hillary in the last 6 months. Once I understand (and advice would be appreciated) whether I should contribute to Obama's primary or general campaign, I will immediately contribute the same amount to Obama. I said I would, right here on Daily Kos, a few months ago, and I'm not doing this to stand by my word, but because I want Barack to win. And that's not all. I will spend a good chunk of October in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire and Virginia (the states closest to me). I look forward to having a beer with you as we work together.
Third, if we lose this fight in November, I will never say "I told you so." (My primary reason to support Hillary was because I believed she was more electable.) That doesn't matter anymore; we have spoken as Democrats, and Barack Obama is our nominee. He is my nominee; he is who I chose, because I choose to be part of this great party, and I respect our decisions. My previous beliefs on electability don't matter; others' previous beliefs on policy differences don't matter. They are sunk costs, and as an economist I truly believe all sunk costs should be ignored. We just should look forward. So again, no matter what happens, I will not look for recriminations or justifications. Because I chose Barack, just as you chose Barack. We are in this together.
But you know what? The above hypothetical does not matter, because we will win. We are right on too many issues. And Barack is a superior candidate to McCain on virtually every level. We will win. We have to win.
From the start I've been most excited about Obama's phenomenal ability to bring in new voters, people who previously chose to sit on the sidelines; his ability to inspire and motivate is just wonderful and impressive. It's my belief that this is our path to victory, and I will do all I can to get new voters to the polls. Did you know that virtually all national polls use a "have ever voted?" screen to weed out unlikely voters, and are therefore biased against Barack? If we can make sure the surge of new voters continues to the general, I really believe we will sweep to victory. I was worried whether this trend was illusory, but now I'm not worried, because this worry is sunk. Now we will make it happen. And I believe.
I really do believe. I really do support Obama. I really do share so much with you, and at this point everything with you; I want to work with you to make this happen.
All I ask is that you look on the past as sunk; that you not hold it against me that I have been (and remain) an HRC supporter; that you not turn the dynamic into one of "has always supported Barack" and "a newbie supporter." Let's all work together. We are one. Yes we can. And we will.