About this time of year four years ago, Markos Moulitsas sent an email to me asking if I was interested in a gig as a Contributing Editor at Daily Kos. He called it "guest blogging" back then, and the first line of the email simply read "Interested"?
Of course I was interested. Ever since I stumbled upon this site during the 2004 election, this place has been my home. Its orange glow sucked me in like it has millions of others, and I can't even begin to count the endless hours I've spent here, reading comments, hitting "refresh" a million times before the miracle of AJAX, drafting diary after diary after diary...
Over the years, this site has grown. It has changed (many things for better, some things for worse), but we as a community have never lost sight of our goal of getting more and better Democrats elected who can enact truly progressive policies for our nation.
I've grown over the years as well. I joined the front-page team as a bright-eyed, 23-year old bundle of energy and nerves dedicated to proving myself just a tiny bit worthy of being in the same pool of talent with legends such as Hunter and Meteor Blades.
Time alters all things, websites and worldviews included.
As many of you know, I've been an attorney for the last several years. But over those years, I've come to realize that helping Democrats in my (very little) off-time wasn't enough. So over the summer, I quit my fancy law firm job. A few weeks ago, I formally joined the U.S. Senate campaign of Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
Though I didn't make a formal announcement at the time, I've been on hiatus from my position as Contributing Editor since the summer.
This race for President Obama's old Senate seat is currently ranked as one of the most competitive in the country. National Journal ranks this race #2 in terms of competitiveness, Rasmussen has it ranked as a "tossup", while Nate over at 538 lists IL-Sen in his top 10 races.
Congressman Mark Kirk is the likely GOP nominee, and he, along with the RNC, NRSC and Illinois GOP, have made it clear that they will do everything they can to flip this seat red.
But we've got a strong candidate on our side, and I'm not just saying that because he's my new boss and because he reads this site (hi Alexi!).
Those who know me, online and offline, know where I stand on the issues, but more importantly, where I stand in terms of governing philosophy. And that's why I joined Alexi's campaign.
Too often in politics, elected officials refuse to proclaim simple truths. They proclaim poll-tested promises. Fancy slogans. Muddled answers.
They are advocates for their careers rather than advocates for the middle class.
They vote on the House or Senate floor with an eye looking forward towards the next election instead of with an eye looking into their hearts, their conscience, and what’s right.
We've seen this type of politics in full force with the Iraq War, the bankruptcy bill, and now, with health care reform. It's exhausting and it's frustrating that so many of those representing us just don't "get it."
So it was refreshing when I met Alexi last year, because he doesn't fit the mold of a typical politician. He doesn't just "get it" in terms of policy, but he understands that how an elected official takes a certain position -- with courage, conviction, and respect -- can be just as important as the position itself.
So, while it's goodbye in terms of my status as a Contributing Editor for now, it isn't a goodbye in terms of this community.
The dirty little not-so-secret we all know is that politicians claim to posting on Daily Kos when really it's a staffer doing the legwork.
Not on this campaign.
Alexi (and only Alexi) will be posting under the Alexi Giannoulias account. I, along with other staffers, will be posting under the Alexi for Illinois general campaign account. So, goodbye "g10", hello "AFI".
And finally, though I've taken off my dkos hat, there's just something about this site that stains your soul a lovely shade of orange, and something about this community that you carry with you in everything you do. I may not be a Contributing Editor at the moment, but I am, and always will be, a proud member of this community.
P.S. You'll be seeing a lot more of Alexi and AFI on the site as the campaign heats up. Here's a short video to introduce you to Alexi and our campaign: