I should just shut the fuck up about what’s going to happen in tomorrow’s election because I was wrong wrong wrong in 2016. On the basis of that wrongness alone, I have no business predicting the outcomes of elections, just as Bill Kristol should be forever banned from opining on Middle Eastern wars of choice.
And besides, maybe jinxes are really a thing? Nah, I don’t believe in that either. Okay, here’s the thing: I feel really optimistic about tomorrow.
I’m not telling anyone but y’all because I know you’d all crawl over broken glass and swim through gator-infested swamps to vote for Democrats. There’s absolutely no danger of you saying, “Well, Betty Cracker, who predicted a landslide victory for President Hillary Clinton, says it’s in the bag, so no need for me to vote!”
You won’t do that, so I feel free to say that I think we’ll have a huge win tomorrow, despite the maps that are not in our favor, the cheating, the demagoguery, etc. I just had to tell someone.
Take it with a dump truck-load of salt, friends. I know you will, dog bless your cynical, battered and wounded hearts. That is all. Open thread!
ETA: Obligatory Badger pic as requested:
The dummy tried to taste the freshly painted wall yesterday, so I had the pleasure of scrubbing yellow paint off his black lower lip. Neither of us was entertained by the exercise.
OzarkHillbilly
Hold my beer, watch this! You can never be to sure with hillbillies.
chopper
i feel nervous but good about tomorrow. thing is, trump is still gonna be president come wednesday morning.
but hoo boy, the investigations are gonna be epic.
Thomas Hilton
I’m not optimistic about the Senate, but if we get the House and another 8-10 governorships (well within the realm of likelihood) I’ll take it.
And about the latter: Democratic governors elected tomorrow will be in office come redistricting time, in 2020. Just saying.
evap
From your lips to the Great Spaghetti Monster’s ears. Trying so hard to stay somewhat pessimistic, but I can’t stop thinking about how unbelievably sweeeeet it will be if Stacey Abrams kicks Kemps lying, cheating, stupid, corrupt ass tomorrow.
gene108
I go with SSUPO
Scared Shitless Unil Proven Otherwise
Too many close races that can break either way
TS (the original)
So of course I posted just as the thread changes. So here is my repeated hope for the biggest blue wave – the US politicial media
And if you look at the front page of the WaPo at the minute (I refuse to give NYT a click so don’t know about it) 99% of stories are positive to democrats. Not a RWNJ pundit is in sight. After 2 years of supporting trump – suddenly the media sees good in Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Suddenly the media sees the racism in Donald trump & refuses his ads. Suddenly my a… The media sees a blue wave tomorrow and they want to have access to the winners or be on the right side of history.
Media does what is good for media – I spit on their 2 year support for racist bigots.
SiubhanDuinne
I am positive, absolutely confident, the votes are there for us. My only trepidation is whether (and where, and by how much) they’ll be suppressed by Republican ratfuckery. So I’m not relaxing until the final concession speech of this cycle.
Not being an Eeyore at all, and I will snarl loudly at anyone who accuses me of same.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
I’m having moments of confident optimism broken up by spikes of sheer dread
Lapassionara
@gene108: Ditto.
guachi
Democrats look really good for governorships gaining a net 4-11 and 21-79 million more Americans with Democratic governors – average +7.7 and +58 million.
That’s pretty good.
I’m fairly upbeat about the House but it still requires people to vote. People vote; Democrats win.
Yarrow
This tweet cheered me up a bit yesterday.
raven
Closed captioning was no match for Orgeron’s press conference
Stuart Frasier
I’m not sure if I can even stand to watch the returns with others this time around. We had a festive party with a Trump piñata in 2016. It was really depressing. I’m cautiously optimistic about tomorrow, though.
Ohio Mom
The Ohio Family voted last week. I was glad to do so because it was nagging at me.
I’ve never felt that way about an election before. The one other time I voted early, it was something of a lark. An old friend and I had a date to spend a Saturday together, and it was either go shopping or vote early. We decided voting would be easier on our wallets.
Now I am trying my hardest to pretend there is no election, therefore nothing to obsess about.
VeniceRiley
Ahhhh I am intensely nervous. Polls all over the place.
AliceBlue
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Same here. Although I’m glad to say I don’t have the same bone-deep uneasy feeling that I had on election night in 2016.
I’m not going to be watching any returns–I’m staying right here at BJ.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
Just touched down back in Misery.
I moved to Denver over Labor Day weekend. But still have property and thus a “residence” in MO, plus I didn’t register to vote in CO because, for once, my vote here in blood red Misery, will have more impact this year than in year’s past.
Going to my second-reddest-county-in-the-state polling place tomorrow to vote straight Dem. Will be the last vote I cast in this state so hopefully it’ll be my vote that puts McCaskill over the top. Thankfully I’ll never have to vote for her again, but am damn glad to do so this time around.
Old School
Here’s hoping I sleep better tomorrow night than Election Night 2016.
JoyceH
Yeah, Betty, but you still have to go outside, turn around three times, and spit. Just in case.
A Ghost To Most
We are off the map. Nobody knows shit.
Get some rest. The rest of the week promises to be explosive.
hells littlest angel
As someone who confidently predicted Clinton by 30 points (!), you have my sympathy. But I too am optimistic. I recently moved to a Republican-dominated rural district in the Catskills, and I’m looking forward to flipping our Congressional seat as well as some state offices.
Betty Cracker
@Yarrow: One thing that’s got me jazzed is the early vote totals that are eclipsing ALL vote totals for 2014 in state after state. And anecdotally, the lack of MAGAt enthusiasm compared to Democrats who are fired the fuck up like I’ve never seen.
Frankensteinbeck
We have enough results back already to know that something huge is happening. All the evidence we have suggests that’s pro-Democrat. But we don’t actually KNOW what that huge thing is, only that much greater than normal numbers of people are voting. It is stressful.
delk
Had out patient surgery today to repair the wrist I broke when I fell last week. They installed an external fixator. Anyway, we passed two early voting locations (Chicago suburbs—I had the surgery in Park Ridge—Hillary’s home town) and both places had very long lines. Seeing those lines was like an extra painkiller for my wrist!
JMG
I alternate between giddy optimism and doleful pessimism with the switches happening closer and closer together. I believe I am emotionally prepared for any outcome, but this may be me kidding myself.
Dorothy A. Winsor
I’m with you, Betty, but I’m nervous. The stakes are just so high.
LaurenR
Funny, I said the same thing..”i’d crawl over broken glass to vote for a democrat!” I also, voted early!
Schlemazel
I have one tiny prediction based on crap I have heard or read. We are going to lose ND and possibly WVa but are going to net +1 for an even 50-50 split. That leave the GOP in effective control and make Mike Dense vote a lot but it takes away any maneuvering the GOP might try. Mostly though I think there is going to be good news from the frozen tundra on the Congressional front. We already hold all the state offices and one chamber. We are going to lose the AG but that is all.*
*That is if people VOTE! I have done what I can & so have a lot of people but we can’t vote for them
schrodingers_cat
Paws crossed, from your keyboard to ceiling cat’s ears.
Mr. Mack
Cautiously optimistic. I was recently diagnosed with cancer, so I am having to redirect my attention to my health and I have never had to do that before…but I know stress is a killer so I donated what I could, volunteered when I could, and now I intend to be at peace with whatever happens tomorrow. The thing is, it feels small. Hard to explain.
Mary G
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: #MeToo! I have a feeling that the blue wave is going to be huge, then 5 seconds later I’m sure that Facebook, Parscale, and the Russians will cook the books even better than they did two years ago, and we are all doomed.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
/sigh of self-reproach/ I’m sure I’ll be watching MSNBC in spite of Chuck Todd, Tweety, Parson Meecham and half the things Brian Williams will say. I’ll say this for them: they seem to have figured out no one in their audience wants to hear from Peggy Fucking Noonan.
Baud
2016 killed off what little humanity I had left at that time. I did my duty and voted, and I of course will be happy if we win and sad if we lose. But I cannot seem to really feel much emotion about this as I probably should.
schrodingers_cat
@Frankensteinbeck: I agree. Professional beltway way hacks are hedging their bets and spinning R favoring narratives. I ignore them for the most part.
Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)
After what happened in Virginia and Alabama last year, I’m hopeful we’re going to look back on tomorrow and marvel that we didn’t see what’s coming coming.
ruemara
I am going with my gut instinct. The one that knew Obama was going to win before the primaries were done. I shan’t say it out loud, but when I get a certain feeling about things, I’ve found it’s best to just go with it. When I don’t get that clear certainty, it usually doesn’t happen exactly as my gut was telling me it wouldn’t. Like my unease in 2016. Take it with a grain of salt & my 94% accuracy rating. I will also say that I’m 100% certain that no matter what the outcome, gird your loins. I expect a lot of trouble from both the terrorist wing of conservatism, to the elected terrorist wing of the GOP. We may have to let them know we expect them to abide by the voting outcomes that they don’t like. We’ll have to break their fingers to pry their hands off the levers of power. Metaphorically, of course.
Baud
@Mr. Mack: Best of health to you. I also am dealing with personal issues (although not as weighty as cancer) that are sapping my energy from politics.
JPL
@Ohio Mom: Good luck pretending.
@Betty Cracker: After watching the freedom girls perform, I developed a deep pang in my stomach. I didn’t expect her to win because trump’s supporters are rabid animals who wanted and still want the blood of liberals. This time I feel like we are going to flip a lot of seats, and hope that it’s enough to take the house. At least I’m not waking up with nightmares about the race, so that’s good.
Dorothy A. Winsor
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: That woman is useless.
OT but interesting: Olympics Committee revoked the USA Gymnastic group status as a national governing body.
Immnentize
@Frankensteinbeck: All this. We know something happen here. But what is ain’t exactly clear…
PS Hurray for our side!
raven
The 2016 was the day before my birthday and that was a sucky a gathering I have had since I went in the Army on my 17th in 1966. This year my birthday isn’t until Saturday so I’m hoping I’m happier and we kick the shit out of Auburn in a night game tween the hedges!
?BillinGlendaleCA
@ruemara:
I’m OK with literally.
Gretchen
I canvassed for Sharice Davids in KS-03 on Saturday. Their plan was to contact all gettable voters TWICE before Election Day. They’re leaving no stone unturned. We’ll see if Kris Kobach-controlled voting machines push him over the top.
Baud
@Schlemazel:
Remember that the 2020 map is bad for them. If we have a good night tomorrow, a lot of GOP senators up in 2020 will feel the heat.
dmsilev
@Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.):
I hope you’re right. The off-year and special elections so far have been very encouraging, and fingers crossed we continue that trend tomorrow.
Immanentize
@Frankensteinbeck:
All this.
We know something is happen here. But what it is ain’t exactly clear…
I think we will see some big wins and a few sad close losses that will nonetheless leave us hopeful and re-energized.
PS Hurray for our side!
ruemara
@Gretchen: I am so pulling for her.
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Same, but I’m clinging to my less savage side.
MomSense
@SiubhanDuinne:
I’m with you. If the election is free and fair we win in a landslide. My concerns are Republican voter suppression and hacking. The Harris County voting machines flipping Beto to Cruz freaked me out.
Brachiator
I’m thinking that all the reporting about higher voter turnout is a hopeful sign, but apart from that I make no predictions.
I’ve avoided most news and pundit shows, especially since most of them insist on rehashing simplistic narratives (immigration on the red team! healthcare on the blue team!).
Also, any program on which Hugh Hewitt or David Brooks appear as guests, singly or together, is a goddam waste of time.
Immanentize
@Mr. Mack:
I hate cancer. Good luck and do try to be the healthiest you possible (stress is so hard to avoid, but massages are fun!)
Immanentize
@Mary G:
I hate Parscale like I hate cancer.
tobie
Betty Cracker, this post is incomplete without the requisite Badger picture. Please add.
And, Cheryl Rofer, if you’re reading, you’ll be happy to learn that North Korea expert Robert E. Kelly voted a straight D ticket for the first time ever. In fact, his twitter thread is filled with Republicans (now ex-Republicans) saying that they all voted a straight D ticket this time to defend democracy:
schrodingers_cat
@Brachiator: Ds should stand for diversity according to Brooksie because someone has to. No matter what the show or which Beltway hack is interviewed, they all seem to think their job is to scold Ds.
TS (the original)
Silver on the senate and the house.
Yesterday he moved the senate from dem chance 1 in 6 to dem chance 1 in 7. I cried. Today it is back to dem chance 1 in 6
For weeks the house has been dem chance 6 in 7. Today it is dem chance 7 in 8.
The media, the pundits are suddenly becoming friends of democrats. They are such fair weather friends.
tobie
@Gretchen: You’ve done yeoman’s work. Thank you!
Baud
@TS (the original): I wouldn’t trust them on a sunny day either.
MomSense
@JoyceH:
Counterclockwise!!!
Mnemosyne
@Schlemazel:
Winning the Senate was always a long shot given the map this year. If we win the House and half of the governor’s races, I will be satisfied.
Mr. Mack
@Baud @Immanentize
Thanks. I have favorable odds so I feel pretty lucky. I really want to stay in the fight to protect this delicate Republic, just gotta focus on this for awhile.
Schlemazel
@Baud:
I know & it is one hope as we always do better in Presidential years. We need to wipe them out
tobie
@Mr. Mack: Good luck to you. We’re pulling for you here.
catclub
@Frankensteinbeck:
by contrast, wasn’t 2016 turnout low?
Kay
That is amazing though- it’s a midterm and their early vote exceeds their total vote in 2014.
I think we can unequivocally say that early vote is very popular and should be expanded :)
JoyceH
@Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.):
Same. I also find it encouraging that Trump is closing with the same ‘scary, scary immigrants!’ theme that bombed so badly for Gillespie last year. Virginia isn’t exactly the Last Bastion of the Enlightenment, so if it didn’t work here, I doubt it will work nationwide.
Immanentize
@Baud: This describes my current state. Except for the death of humanity part :-)
I’m feeling way more analytical and que sera. It’s how I generally deal with hard things. Whatever happens, as many have said, the work continues.
Baud
@catclub: No, 2016 wasn’t really low. It was just skewed to favor Trump states.
Schlemazel
@Mnemosyne:
Sorry, I will not be satisfied if any Republican wins any race. I’ll take everything we can get but I won’t be satisfied.
Next week I start looking for who to work for in 2020. Rest is for the weak
Immanentize
@raven:
Just say NO! to War Eagles.
geg6
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Yep, that’s me. Never felt like this during a midterm election but I’ve been feeling a lot of things these last two years that I’ve never felt before.
Baud
@Immanentize: Maybe if we win big enough, it’ll jump start me. But I don’t think I’ll really trust us again until we reelect the Dem president and Congress in 2024.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
So you really are a cyborg that was a seamonster.
SiubhanDuinne
Slightly O/T: could someone please put up the link for that Carl Reiner Youtube from a couple of days ago? Want to share it with some friends, but so far I’m not having any luck googling. Thanks!
raven
@Immanentize: I’m glad they won Saturday so they get their hopes up!
MomSense
@Mr. Mack:
Sending my best to you. Please keep us posted and let us know how we can support you.
TenguPhule
@?BillinGlendaleCA:
Scoot over on that couch.
TenguPhule
@ruemara:
Cross over to the Dark Side.
We have cookies.
hitchhiker
A big fraction of America experienced 11/8 as a catastrophe on the level of 9/11. That trauma was often exacerbated by the realization that so many fellow citizens were delighted with our suffering — that the election hadn’t been so much a political contest between competing visions for the future as a grudge match we hadn’t understood we were fighting. They wanted to punish us for something, and it was personal. I can say that I felt none of that vindictive triumph when Obama won in 2008, tho’ dog knows W had left the country in a terrible hole. I also didn’t feel it when Romney lost, except I have to admit I laughed at the hosts at Fox when they realized what had happened.
But I didn’t go around sneering at unhappy Republicans and drinking from coffee mugs labeled “Conservative Tears.”
I share Betty’s sense that something big is about to happen … the daily display of ugliness led by Trump has been disheartening and scary, and tomorrow will be the first time we all have a chance to weigh in meaningfully about how that strikes us. In spite of everything, I still think most Americans will get it right.
Time to set things back on a path out of this darkness.
TenguPhule
@Baud:
At least the weatherman is right half of the time.
Kay
I wish we had more election observers. Jeff Sessions in charge of enforcing voting rights is a joke. I hope we get reports if the low quality Trump hires harass or try to intimidate people who simply want to vote.
RedDirtGirl
@Mr. Mack: Sounds like you are doing the right things for yourself. Good luck, and keep us posted.
TenguPhule
@hitchhiker:
They were delicious AF.
debbie
I’m really excited about tomorrow, but I don’t want to jinx it, so I’ll shut up.
Ruckus
@Mr. Mack:
Kick cancer’s ass. It can be done.
Take care and listen to the docs.
We’ve got plenty of experience around here with cancer. You need help or a shoulder, just holler.
Aleta
Let’s never be afraid to believe we will take them down.
Trump feels joy in crushing spirits; let him die exhausted by failure to hurt ours.
O. Felix Culpa
@SiubhanDuinne: Is this the Carl Reiner piece you’re looking for? https://twitter.com/attn/status/1057394535368540160
Patricia Kayden
@chopper: It’s wise to be nervous after what happened in 2016 but I’m just hoping that the House flipping tomorrow puts the brakes on Trump’s agenda for good. I don’t see him lasting into 2020.
JMG
Good post by Erik Loomis on Lawyers, Guns and Money emphasizing the long-term, as in lifetime, nature of this political contest.
TenguPhule
@Kay:
When all Republicans are barred from ever voting again, we can blame it on the “McConnell Rule”.
TMinSJ
For about 3 weeks I’ve been secretly predicting 50-55ish seat gain in the house and a 50/50 senate, but I too have felt if I said it out loud it would be a lock on a red wave. I’m turning my lonely eyes to you Heidi Heitkamp!
schrodingers_cat
@hitchhiker: As an immigrant, it felt like a stinging slap, voting to make the person whose entire platform can be summed up as a naked appeal to xenophobia.
Baud
Whatever happens tomorrow and beyond, the last two years would have been unbearable without the company of the world’s best jackals. I am grateful.
Baud
@JMG: Yes it was. It’s a nice complement to Betty’s post here.
O. Felix Culpa
@Baud:
So am I, for you and so many fine exemplars of humanity aka jackalhood on Balloon Juice.
Emma
Honestly, stop this about mistakes about 2016. We wuz robbed, folks. A few states hacked by Russians and the damn election was STOLEN.
Oh and let’s not forget Comey and the MSM. Disgusting little fornicators of swine.
Pogonip
Don’t feel bad—in 2016 I predicted Trump would get the most votes but the Electoral College would appoint Clinton president. Oops. ☺️
TenguPhule
@Baud:
What, you’ve been cheating on us with some other blog site?! With nested comments no doubt! And an artificially enhanced rating system that’s all silicon!! //
The Dangerman
Someone’s in for an ugly surprise tomorrow night; both sides are claiming they will win bigly (which is kinda common, but, this time, it seems all in, both sides). The Right is saying Kavanaugh will put them over the top all over; I think they are deluded.
debbie
@Baud:
Baud, your humor has helped many if not most of us these past two years. It is us who should thank you!
Yarrow
@Gretchen: In the district I volunteered for yesterday they told us we were the second pass for voters who didn’t vote early. They were running out of packets to hand out to volunteers because they had so many volunteers!
Dem enthusiasm is very high. And they are PISSED OFF at their Republican neighbors. I have had more than one of the Dem voters on my canvassing list tell me they can’t believe people who have Republican yard signs out. They knew but didn’t know know they were there. Now they do. And they are not happy about it. They made sure to tell me. They are fired up to vote.
Mnemosyne
@Schlemazel:
“Satisfied” may not be the right word. It may be something more like “on the right track,” but that’s not a single word.
gbbalto
@Baud: Absolutely agree. Thanks to you all!
pk
I@hitchhiker:
I’ve felt terrible every day for the last two years. Just a daily realization that this horrible man is president. He is awful every single day, making it impossible to forget or even have a few days of peace. That’s what gets me about him. I never thought about Obama, or even Bush every day. They were not in our faces every day of the week.
Brachiator
@schrodingers_cat:
Brooks is a fool.
Hugh Hewitt started out as a moderate conservative host on local public television shows in the Los Angeles area. He has a law degree, I think, and used to be mostly honest in discussing the legal aspect of public interest issues. But now he has gone full right wing hack, and seems eager to fill any chair when a pundit show needs a conservative to fill out a panel. He’s insufferable, and the epitome of the Beltway Asswipe Pundit.
TenguPhule
@hitchhiker:
Here we stand, we can do no other.
waratah
I am with you Betty, and you give me the courage to say that Beto will not only win but it will be a huge win. I became convinced of his winning after he had finished the university college rally’s and headed into East Texas, Lufkin, Longview and Tyler. I have lived in East Texas and when I saw the people he had drawn I was excited. This was an area I did not think possible. All the rally’s that came after became larger and lots of excited people. I have seen a lot of comments on his Facebook voting all blue. I think we will take the Senate.
Betty Cracker
@tobie: Good point. Rectified via update.
MazeDancer
Both Elaine Luria and Lizzie Fletcher just updated their phone banks.
Reloaded with more numbers because people had made so many calls.
Fighting all the way.
Consider making a few calls tonight.
These are such fabulous women.
Info on how to phone bank for both women, and more candidates: PostCardPatriots.com
feebog
I’m predicting a 44 seat pickup in the House and a 50/50 Senate. Let’s go blue team.
debbie
@Baud:
Baud, it is your humor that got most, if not all, of us through these two years. Thank you!
VeniceRiley
1) Badger cracks me up.
2) I am encouraged at the massive change in my FB feed between 2016 and now.
My guess is feebog’s guess, but I’m not married to it.
hitchhiker
@pk:
I know. Mr Hitchhiker is one of those people who has been unable to read a damn newspaper since the last election. I’m obsessed, but I know not to try to tell him when something’s happened. The other day our daughter was hanging out with us, and she and I were talking about one of the recent horror stories (take your pick)– and suddenly he was in tears.
My quiet super-geek, bass-playing beautiful husband, softly crying and saying, ” I can’t bear it. I can’t bear the idea of him as president.”
JPL
@debbie: Isn’t it Wednesday that Anne puts up a tell me something good post. You should save your thanks until then.
lol Truthfully I hate when Baud signs off when he/she decides to tour the world.
Aleta
@Mr. Mack: There are lots of good intelligent people fighting the Rs. You’re needed to fight the cancer, rest your body and protect your mind, and feel pleasure when you can. Save your time and energy for the everyday and let others do the other stuff.
tobie
@Betty Cracker: Thanks so much! That dude’s ever cheerful face picks me up every time. Badger delivers!
TS (the original)
@Baud:
I never trust em – but today – they want to be my friend.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Kay: I was thinking the Carter Center needs to dispatch some observers to watch Sessions’ operatives
Schlemazel
@Mr. Mack:
Hey, every avalach is just a million snowflakes doing what they can. Nobody can ask for more.
Cancer is a loser, you can beat that, hell even I did. Just don’t think the guy on to Internet selling juice enemas & crystals is smarter than your doctor. That is what killed Steve Jobs, not the cancer, his arrogance. Good luck & keep us up to date please. Several of us can offer advice depending on what & where, just ask
cain
I have dread. I need a John Cole sized hug and him to yell in my ear that things are going to be okay, and some motherfuckers are going to get their ass kicked. Also, he may burp me.
Aleta
Badger looks like he practices optimism religiously.
(Or superstitiously. Believe in dinner…it will happen.’)
SiubhanDuinne
@Mr. Mack:
Thinking of you, and I hope you will update us whenever you can and it feels appropriate. Your overriding priority must be your health! Hugs, fuck cancer, and take care!
JPL
There’s a new poll out in GA with Kemp up by 12. The local CBS station is tearing it apart since the sample size of republicans was much higher than what is representative of the state. The news caster asked if this was a poll released to suppress voters for Stacey. The reporter said it did appear that way.
Kemp allowed are machines to be hacked… blame dems
Kemp puts up a photo of black panthers with guns and a Stacey for Gov sign
Kemp releases a push poll showing he is ahead.
My prediction Stacey wins.
schrodingers_cat
@Baud: Agreed. Even though I have had more arguments with commenters here in the last 2 years than all the 8 years of the Obama Presidency.
TS (the original)
@The Dangerman:
This gives me much hope – I still remember in 2008, they were convinced McCain would win & thought the polls indicated millions who did not want to appear racist so lied to the polls about voting for Obama. They sure can’t use that excuse this year – they are delighted to appear racist.
zhena gogolia
@Stuart Frasier:
The last time I tried that “election party” thing was 2004. It did not end well.
ruemara
@TenguPhule: Honey, I am the Dark Side and I make all the cookies. I just understand the nature of the stiletto versus the cannon.
notoriousJRT
@Lapassionara:
Tritto
SiubhanDuinne
@O. Felix Culpa:
That’s it, thanks. I was eventually able to find it without going through Twitter, but I do appreciate your tracking it down.
debbie
@JPL:
If I were around during the day, I would!
magurakurin
@Baud: me too
Beth
You really have a way with the English language Betty Cracker. I love this hope, and love you’re just sharing this with us. – Fangirl Beth
notoriousJRT
@Mr. Mack: Anyone who has ever had a diagnosis of cancer fully understands. Good luck with the journey to come.
JPL
@debbie: Lately I haven’t had anything to add to those posts. sad After Stacey wins though, I’ll be more optimistic about the future.
WaterGirl
@Baud: If it’s heartbreak, I just want to let you know that I am available. I needed to get that in before Helen is in the right time zone to read this. Oh, no! She’s in NY, isn’t she? If it’s work related, I would gladly hire you to be my pool boy even though I have no pool. Or perhaps you’d like to be my gardener?
Seriously, though, I am sorry to hear you are so low, especially because your comments help keep us all hanging in there.
zhena gogolia
I’m a complete wreck.
Brachiator
NPR had an interesting article on post-election exit polls, what to look out for, and polling limitations: How To Make Sense Of Exit Polls On Election Night
You find out that some exit polls are actually “likely voter” polls, and later analyses can significantly change early conventional wisdom about voters.
WaterGirl
@MomSense: Me, three.
PaulWartenberg
No guarantees.. but the Dems better fcking SWEEP in Florida or I will have a nervous breakdown.
Okay, at LEAST vote for Gillum and Nelson and (insert local Congressional district Democratic candidate) UP THE WAZOO.
I wanna see Bilirakis floating away into the Gulf of Mexico on the GOP Algae tide.
trollhattan
Translating wingnutese is always a challenge and I’m pondering a recent go-to “gotcha” I’m hearing and that has been used on my spouse:
“Name something positive about the president.”
Anybody else experience this? Is it a Luntz focus-group tested item released into the wild, or a passing anomaly? I’m ready with “Yes, he got the current Republican Party to reveal their true selves in public.”
debbie
@JPL:
My niece’s field hockey team won the state high school championship this weekend. 21 – 0 games and 144 – 1 points for the season. Maybe that is what is making me giddy about tomorrow.
Cookie Monster
@trollhattan: … and if one, can’t, that proves you’re “biased” or something? IDGI
Karen Andrews
@cain: at least there’s this- ballots or … @geg6: I feel nothing but contempt and hatred toward Republicans and I will never forgive them for electing Trump. I used to be a nice person btw.
A Ghost To Most
@TenguPhule:
Hopefully, we are halfway through hell. FIDO.
Baud
@debbie: Thanks, Debbie.
Betty Cracker
@Mr. Mack: Take care of yourself!
@hitchhiker: He’s not alone. You’re lucky to have a guy like that. ?
JPL
@debbie: Nice. That is a great sport that deserves more attention. imo
MazeDancer
@Mr. Mack:
Research is your friend. Cancer is treated differently in different countries. I found studies from what is standard treatment in all of Europe that helped me choose what worked for me.
And new treatments appear every day.
On the other hand, if you don’t like info, don’t look.
The most important thing to learn now is how to listen to yourself. And treat yourself with the same zeal, care, and diligence you would any Candidate, or job, or anything. And how to nurture yourself.
Meditation is worth learning.
Also, organic CBD oil really works for anxiety. (personal experience) And is given to dogs with cancer. As there are studies that it helps the cancer. Not prescribing. Just passing along info.
MazeDancer
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
Big props for making such effort.
Seeing that poll this AM with Claire up 3 was definitely a spirit boost.
May she triumph tomorrow!
MCA1
@tobie: I find that sort of anecdata reassuring. The trouble is I just don’t know how many “lifelong Republicans” pay enough attention to fully recognize the existential threat to democracy that’s at play here, and/or admit to themselves they f’ed up two years ago and do the minimum to try to help reverse course (in private, without having to tell anyone what they’re doing).
But I am buoyed by the fact that several of his followers are saying the same thing he is, and that there sure as shit isn’t some equivalent shedding of longtime voters happening on the D side. As others have said, Democrats are pissed off like never seen in my lifetime, and we’ve seen for the last 18 months since special elections started occurring that they’re motivated like hell to go vote.
I think where people’s feelings are on tomorrow, among those of us here, at least, is largely dependent on where they were on Election Day 2 years ago. I had none of the sense of dread or unease or feeling spooked that some did, so the creeping realization that evening that the worst was happening was a massive, massive shock. I truly could not believe it. In my little bubbled enclave of upper middle class left leaning Illinois suburbia, I had seen almost zero support for Trump, so I just assumed normal people across the country found him as obviously repellent as folks around me. Election Night was a shock from which I may never recover. I slept no more than 2 hours. Consequently, I can muster no more than cautious optimism heavily tempered by fear of the worst for tomorrow.
I think it’s the people who did sort of see it coming in ’16 who are better placed to tell us whether our optimism is well-founded this time, ’cause I’ll never trust optimism about an election again. Ever.
Suburban Mom
@raven: You, me and the Marines share a birthday. It was bleak in 2016.
Mr. Mack
To all the wonderful jackals that took a minute to respond…thanks. I am always uncomfortable with public displays of personal medical issues. I have an old friend that has chronicled each step of her struggle, and I fought to not be….what, resentful? I mean that in the sense that after awhile, I ran out of things to say to offer support. I promise to not address this here again, mainly because I don’t want the rest of my life to be about this. Most of that will be unavoidable. I will need to manage my health for the foreseeable future, but in the end it is a very personal struggle. For those who know, this cancer was a result of the HPV virus. I was shaving and noticed a lump on my neck. Turns out the source is in my tonsil/tongue area, so surgery is pretty much out. Radiation and once a week light dosage chemo is the treatment my docs feel is the best shot. I will do my part by giving up drinking and smoking and then it is up to FSM I suppose. Alright, enough about this. Thanks again, just know I have been a regular lurker here for over a decade, and I feel like I know a bunch of you pretty well. Thanks again and let’s all harness our collective energy to put sanity back in our Congress. Be well.
WaterGirl
@Mr. Mack: Thank you for sharing. We are all rooting for you. Take care of yourself; we need you in this fight!
debbie
@Mr. Mack:
I didn’t respond because I figured the conversation had moved on. As noisy and painful as politics are, nothing slaps a person around more than the shock of their own mortality. I wish you strength to deal with this.
Anotherlurker
I, too am optimistic about the election.
However, i am currently going thru the hell of looking for a San Diego apartment. I need an interim place to hang my hat until I get called for a low incomesenior apartment. Waiting lists are months, to years long.
As someone who survived Superstorm Sandy, with a foreclosed house and a rubbished credit score, this is a very stressful time.
I’m staying in motels, between staying on a friend’s couch.
At 66, I’m very tired of reinventing myself.
FelonyGovt
@Mr. Mack: Hearing the “C” word as your diagnosis is devastating. There are many of us survivors here and you will be one as well. Take care of yourself, and as others said, read up on all the literature and the treatments (or have a loved one do it for you if you don’t have the stomach for it). Will be thinking good thoughts for you.
Ruckus
@Mr. Mack:
Modern radiation therapy is easy and it can work very well, without much side effects. I know, I’ve done it.
Talking about your issues can be tough. But there are lots of us here who have been through this and at the end of the day, you will understand how much better it is now than just a few years ago. And as I and others have said, we’re here, we’re experienced, we know the frustrations, the downsides, the upsides and lows and the highs. We’ll be glad to shut up and listen and to talk if you need.
danielx
@ruemara:
Come sit by me.
dlwchico
Electing Trump broke me. I don’t trust the American public anymore. I’ll keep voting Democrat and donating some money, but at the same time I’m glad I never had any kids.
gbbalto
@Mr. Mack: Maybe too late to the thread. Keep up the fight and I hope for the best
Luciamia
Trying to stay optimistic about tomorrow but the one thing I am SO sick of are races that are “too close to call, neck and neck, etc. ” They shouldn’t be this close.
Mr. Mack
Bah. I get mad as hell over the petty internecine battles in this place, but I am overwhelmed by the knowledge that complete strangers in here take a minute to be fellow humans. That ain’t nothing. Alright…tomorrow is a big day. I have spent weeks/months asking myself if I’d rather see a Beto victory or a Bredesen victory tomorrow, and I have settled on Bredesen. Not wild about him, but Beto has a future and Blackburn is as loathsome a creature as I’ve ever seen. Maybe I won’t have to settle? Vote Blue!
HumboldtBlue
@Thomas Hilton:
Well hell, nice to see you again, Tom.
Elsewhere, I think they’re gonna steal the whole shooting match. You’re gonna see greatest theft since Merrick Garland’s seat was handed over to a simpering corporate whore.
They’re not going to lose shit, they’re going to suppress, eliminate and destroy any ballot they think will go against them.
They are going to intentionally sow as much confusion discord and outright nonsense and walk away with control of the government and the rest of us will be screaming bloody murder while they find a thousand other ways to fuck the country and enrich themselves. They’ve done it now twice since the turn of the century, they’ve had 18 years to prepare.
Bemused senior
@raven: Happy Birthday to us both. I hope we have a lot to celebrate.
Miss Bianca
@Baud: same back at you, Baud. i am with you – I have felt a certain lassitude overtake me this election season. I voted, I did a lot of research and took a lot of care voting, did a lot of talking to friends and family about issues, but this time I just couldn’t plunge into campaign work. Too busy holding down three jobs and trying to keep my head above water. i am so grateful to all the jackals who contributed so much this time round, in money and time, when I just couldn’t. Thank you all!
Tinare
I’m feeling pretty confident. Hope I’m not crushed.
Dmbeaster
The polls underestimate Democrats right now. None know how to model what is going on.
J R in WV
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
They may not have Peggy Noonan, but they (MSNBC and NBC) will have Andria Mitchell Greenspan, so they will have to get along without me, for sure!!
J R in WV
@Gretchen:
We contributed to Ms Davids, who may be among the first Native American women ever elected to congress, ever. Hoping there are several of them, there are quite a few running that we contributed to.
I haven’t totaled up our donations yet, I’m holding off until either late tomorrow night or the next day. The most we have ever contributed.
J R in WV
@Mr. Mack:
So far my close friends who have had serious cancer ordeals have won through. So you are right to be optimistic!!!
Do keep in touch with the rabid Jackals as you fight, though!
Best of luck, Mr. Mack ~!!!~