There was nothing I resented more in the aftermath of the primiaries than being told to "get over it". How dare any of you, how dare anyone tell this lifelong Democrat who sincerely believed Hillary Clinton was the best qualified candidate for president to instantly turn my allegiance elsewhere?
Feeling as I did I naturally aligned with numerous groups under the umbrella acronym, PUMA, which many here derided as composed of "16 Republicans, dead enders, sore losers" and a number of less complimentary epithets. You were mistaken about that. The people I knew long and well were like me with years of expeirence as Democratic activists. True, some have a "we were robbed mind-set" but they also have a legitimate list of grievences against the DNC, grievences I shared but grievances I am now willing to push aside because I cannot live with myself if I don't return to my party and do my little bit to defeat the GOP.
If you've read this far you may already have guessed that the GOP convention is responsible for my change of mind and heart. Yes, Sarah Palin is part of it but more than that just seeing these people in convention, these blood thirsty Babbits and their brood, was a wake-up call - a virtual slap in the face provoking a voice screaming from within: YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, DAMMIT, WAKE UP!
So here I am, grabbing on to the caboose, scrambling to get on board, hoping I'll be welcome even though I'm late to the party and praying I'm not the last to see the light.
I'm too old and jaded to be consumed by the hope message but when faced with the alternative of the McCain/Palin nightmare, the sweet, beautiful faces of my grandchildren demand that Barack Obama recieve my time, money and most important, my vote.
This vote's for you and your future, Lauren and Zoe!