We are going to CRUSH THEM
I don't do diaries. I just don't. I've been here for over eight years. In all those years, although I comment regularly, I have written exactly two diaries. This one -- my third -- is a quickie diary that I am writing from work. If you're looking for some great intellectual heft or good links, you won't find them here. If you pearl clutch at the sight of a textual f-bomb, this is not the place for you.
So why I am doing a Daily Kos diary? More after the calligraphy croissant.
Where was I? Oh yes... Why I am doing a Daily Kos diary?
Because I really don't want to read the words "Fight like we're 10 points down" ever again. I don't know who came up with this gem but it is an antidote to enthusiasm. Why the hell do I want to believe things are worse than they actually are? Let me disabuse you of the notion that defeatism is inspiring. IT IS NOT. You know what's inspiring? WINNING. And we ARE.
The president has multiple pathways to victory on the electoral map; Mittbot has to run the table. Their convention, complete with old man yelling at chair, sucked ass. Ours is on Day 2 and its fucking awesome -- from the visuals to the substance. Their candidates consist of a questionably human corporate overlord with his Stepford wife, and a pathological liar for a running mate. We have The Big O. We have the FLOTUS with the mostest. We have The Biden. We have the Big Dog. (I am talking about Bill Clinton and not a rescued Seamus). In short, our product is better than theirs.
So inhale the glory, get pumped up, get that spinal transplant you're so fond of recommending, and kick some ass.
I swear, the same people who complain about the president and Dems needing to get a spine are the same people who are spineless when it comes to the road to victory. It is like they've become so used to defeat and disillusionment that it has not just entered their permanent political lexicon, but seeped into the DNA. Now is the time to get a transfusion of tiger blood and ass-kicking energy.
But what about voter suppression, you ask?
Yes, that's a real issue. But there are three things we can and will do: Keep fighting the GOP powers that are trying to stop people from voting; educating voters in key states about what they need to do to ensure they can vote; reminding people that even the inconveniences and obstacles should not stop people from voting. I write about foreign policy for a living; I write abut people who die on the way to the polls to cast ballots in landmark election. If people with so fewer resources across the globe can be brave the insanity to vote, no Republican Secretary of State can stand in our way if we do the groundwork now.
Tips for Positivity
Trash talk and mock Republicans more. Just take a walk on the wild side and survey Yahoo or Fox Nation comments after a political story. RedState is disappointing in comparison. They're a pack of rabid hate-filled maniacs. Mock them regularly. Remind them that we're going to crush them. They're just bullies. Push them back and they will fold internally like lilies. This works in real life with the Republican bullies in your day-to-day lives. You don't even have to make logical arguments. This is fallacy among Democrats who consistently and remarkably believe that facts work with these people.
Look, the partisan divide is baked into the cake already; there are only bout six percent of undecided voters. If you're talking to a conservative Republican, they're probably not persuadable. Ask yourself the question-- "Am I the jack-ass whisperer?" The answer should be NO. So your job is to deflate them with positivity and certitude that their candidate, whom they don't like anyway, is going to get beat like a drum.
If you're not the trash talking type, then sign up with OFA and make calls each night. Work especially hard on getting the youth vote and first time voters out. Being productive is better than hand wringing. And institute a penalty. Every time you find yourself backsliding into defeatest thinking (or typing "fight like we're down 10" on Daily Kos), you need to donate $10 to the president and/or down ballot Democrats.
A Final Note
In the end, if you're pumped, you are going to go out there hit harder, fight stronger, and win the battle with a smile on your face. Here's the thing: We're going to crush the GOP fuckers up and down ballot. We're going to win. The only question is by what kind of margin.
Now carry on.... that is all.
1:39 PM PT: Thanks for the support! You all rock !! Let me also take this opportunity to note that in addition to crushing them at the top of the ticket, we need to crush them down ballot as well. D is for drive; R is for reverse... we're driving FORWARD with Democrats up and down ballot.