2018 Midterms

I voted today fuck yeah!

Absentee ballot mailed!!

undo wrote:I was assuming/under the impression that Steve King wasn’t up for re-election this year, because

Because I...thought he was actually in the Senate when I wrote this?

Eh, Iowa doesn't have that many more reps than senators, understandable mistake.

I already early voted and yesterday I spent three hours knocking on doors on behalf of Casten. I had a lot of encouraging encounters and I helped a few people figure out where there polling place was and when they would be available to vote, etc.. I originally planned on doing the same thing today but it looks as though it is going to rain and I haven't had any free time over the last two months to figure out some shit with my own life. I feel as though I have done my part, kinda...

Looking forward to spending the day constantly monitoring Twitter, Exit Polls and buying into whatever early returns horseshit story that cranks up my blood pressure!

I’ll probably listen to Youth of America on repeat as well.

I really don’t want to do any of that today but somehow this is the first 100% free I have nothing to do with myself at all day in a month.

There aren’t even any movies out that I want to go see.

Nick wrote:I’ll probably listen to Youth of America on repeat as well.

dude totally

Pretty good day for the dems. Glad they took back the house. Sad to see them lose the marquee match ups.

Based on what I saw, Trump can easily be re-elected in 2020. We are going to have to work even harder to beat him.

That’s exactly right. It’s also important to note that progressive ballot measures passed in places where Democratic politicians lost. Whether that be reenfranchising ex-felons or fighting for a living wage, we are winning the battle of ideas. That matters.

This is a good feeling, which will quickly be eroded by primary infighting and Nancy Pelosi being shit, but we will win.

Looking at the rural turnout last night was a reminder how much racist white people love Trump and it will take an incredible candidate to beat him.

A lot can change in the next two years but I also feel he’s going to look at these results and feel very good about how stable his coalition appears to be and doubt there is right now anyone that could beat him head to head.

Lol. He is going to get smoked.

By who? I’m genuinely curious to know who you think is going to beat him?

Literally any Democratic candidate on the list would win. Bernie, Liz, Booker, Kamala.

The popular vote in this midterm was won by 7 percent and Trump’s name isn’t even on the ballot. The man is incredibly unpopular and is going to be made increasingly so in the next couple years. Have some damn confidence everyone. It’s Donald fucking Trump!

If any of those candidates win the nomination Trump wins by 5-8 percent.

So you think every available Democratic candidate is significantly worse than Hillary Clinton? Are you suggesting that maybe it is the third time that is the charm? Or are you just all shook up and not thinking clearly?

It's pretty ridiculous to make predictions either way at this point. Dems have to work hard and stay united and hopefully things will break our way.

We have two years to campaign against the most unpopular President in modern American history. The idea that the eventual Democratic nominee would lose by 5-8 percent, or lose the popular vote at all really, is beyond farcicial. I am sorry. A Republican has won the popular vote one time in the current Millenium and it was post-9/11 and during our illegal invasion of Iraq.

I suppose I can imagine some world where the electoral college is close because Florida and like Indiana are places, but even that is kind of far fetched. Again, guys, it’s Donald Trump.

WP64 wrote:So you think every available Democratic candidate is significantly worse than Hillary Clinton? Are you suggesting that maybe it is the third time that is the charm? Or are you just all shook up and not thinking clearly?

No. I think Hilary Clinton was a once in a generation level of horrible candidate. A truly unique failure.

Bernie is the best candidate which isn’t good because it reflects a lack of rising, inspirational figures that could win a national election by appealing to a wide swath of demographics.

I don’t know how/why anyone wouldn’t be shook at this point. America is a deeply racist, horrible country that has a leader who reflects that and 50% of the country isn’t going to just relinquish that.

Andrew Gillum was maybe the most impressive candidate I’ve seen since Obama first ran for Senate and he lost to a white nationalist. The Dems are in bad shape.

WP64 wrote:We have two years to campaign against the most unpopular President in modern American history. The idea that the eventual Democratic nominee would lose by 5-8 percent, or lose the popular vote at all really, is beyond farcicial. I am sorry. A Republican has won the popular vote one time in the current Millenium and it was post-9/11 and during our illegal invasion of Iraq.

I tend to agree but we know the popular vote doesn't matter.

Incumbency brings an advantage and the electoral map still tilts red. Republicans are getting more aggressive with voter suppression and racism is getting more overt. Certainly all is not lost, but there are reasons to worry.

I worry everyday. Things are obviously bad still. I’m just saying, last night was a reason for optimism and we should be approaching 2020 with enthusiasm and hope rather than being pessimistic or fatalistic.

I know I should be "pleased" with last night's results but I let myself get emotionally invested in the marquee races that would have "sent a message" to Trump (and potentially improved the lives of millions of people) and that was a mistake.

JB/Underwood/Casten should make me feel...something approach pride or relief, but naive as it makes me I needed this election to be nothing less than a dagger to the politics of racism and, well...


mood:

You know what is a dagger to the politics of racism in this country, the fact that ex-felons now have a right to vote and exercise their democratic rights in the state of Florida, which helps ensure that the next Gillum wins an election of such slim margins

Progress is being made you sadsacks. Mike Pence is going to swear in a Somalian refugee and a proud and progressive Palestinian-American using the Qur’an in a couple months. Last night was a great night and better days ahead.

Well said WP. I have no patience for the surrender brigade preemptively forfeiting 2020 two years out.