For the past few weeks -- like many Ricochet members, I'm sure -- I've devoured news on the presidential race like a ravenous shark in bloody chum. I think I'm the worse for it because I'm ... shutting down.
I find myself entering a kind of self-induced coma made up of equal parts fear, cautious optimism, anger, and depression depending on the day, the hour, the poll results from pollsters I've never heard of, and the news of the race. Because of Twitter and blogs and online news and talk radio -- and yes, Ricochet -- information now comes rapid-fire for those who seek it. It's like being on the wrong end of a fire hose.
Too much information, and little of it very encouraging or definitive. Romney up, Obama up, tied race, heavily weighted polls, gaffes that aren't gaffes, gaffes that are gaffes but not treated or reported as such, pundits spewing drivel ... too much information. It's overhwelming.
I find myself watching sports instead of politics, and listening to music instead of news because it's so dispiriting. This year, there is a very clear choice between American Constitutionalism and vapid, European-style Social Democracy. It should be a landslide, but it may not be. It may not even be a victory for the good guys.
All I can cling to, really, is a couple of things that give me a little bit of comfort. One is that I personally do not know of a single voter who went for McCain in the last election who is switching sides this time -- and I know a number who are doing the opposite. I want to extrapolate that across the country, even though it's simplistic.
And this: Only two years ago, American voters threw the Dems out of office in a righteous, full-throated fury. Their target at that time was unreachable: Obama. This time, he's reachable. I doubt those 2010 voters have lost their anger, but I wonder where they are. I can only hope they're not answering the calls from pollsters -- and that they're gearing up in silence and in secret to do it all over again.
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Comments:
Jul '12
Re: TMI
I'm becoming uncomfortably numb due to the election. I think I'm happier when I don't follow politics closely.
Edited on September 26, 2012 at 7:47pmSep '12
Re: TMI
You ask where those 2010 voters are. One place I found them was eating at Chick-Fil-A back in August.
Apr '11
Re: TMI
This year, there is a very clear choice between American Constitutionalism and vapid, European-style Social Democracy.
You're being too kind. If ONLY it were mere vapid, European-style Social Democracy.
We're headed for fully fledged Liberal Fascism (copyright Jonah Goldberg), complete with the Hitler 'stache on the smiley face. Blaming The Jews is already coming back into style in Europe and the States, and Those Who Would Rule Over Us are fairly serious about shoving anti-blasphemy laws down our throat.
The only way to keep your sanity under these circumstances is to make like a Boy Scout and Be Prepared.
For what, exactly? I don't know. But the same prep as you'd do for a coming hurricane or blizzard or EMP should do 'er.
Aug '11
Re: TMI
Obama's victory in 2008 was heralded by the 2006 mid-term wins by Democrats (and their subsequent takeover of Congress).
I am thinking we could also point to the 2010 sweep for the Republicans as a harbinger of what 2012 will bring.
May '10
Re: TMI
I don't care about polls, so I have been shrugging off most recent news. Next month will be more interesting (in the worst possible way).
If Israel really is going to strike Iran before our election to secure President Obama's support, then that raises three important questions about the consequences, none of which I can answer:
And the real kicker is that this isn't even Obama's "October surprise" because it is beyond his control.
Oct '10
Re: TMI
Put me in the camp that has stopped paying attention to media reports about the state of the election -- because I just don't believe them. No "narrative" I have seen on the evening news over the last few weeks has come anywhere close to the reality I see when I walk out my front door. Granted, I live in Texas, but still...
In fact, all the talk about Romney floundering has actually had a counter-intuitive effect on me. I'm now pretty convinced that Dr. Rahe's landslide prediction will come true.
If the media are working this hard to contradict the reality I see with my own eyes, things must be very bad for Obama indeed.
Some people might say I'm deluding myself, but I think I'm drawing a rational conclusion based on the facts I have observed.
Feb '11
Re: TMI
Too Much Information or Three Mile Island?
Edited on September 26, 2012 at 8:05pmMar '11
Re: TMI
CJ, I wont further frustrate you with a link to a piece by Dr Stanley in GB about how the US has passed the tipping point, demographically and culturally (a familiar discussion here).
Personally, I agree with your view of how things will go - I am more or less resigned to whatever happens. I'll just vote when my early ballot arrives, and hope for the best!
Jul '11
Re: TMI
The first debate will be huge. I believe it will be mostly on the economy. If Romney only ties then we are in trouble. Romney should smoke him though.
Jun '11
Re: TMI
Best to take a break, just show up for the debates and watch all the football! There really is so much football, even the commie Euro kind of football. Just don't forget to vote on 11/6! :D
Aug '12
Re: TMI
The very heart and soul of our country is at stake. Our very way of like is in jeopardy. This.is.war. If a physical army of the enemy were invading, killing people, destroying buildings, and taking your fellow Americans prisoner, then you would be engaging in no-holds-barred hand-to-hand-combat with everything you have.
If you are not willing to risk everything in this battle then it is already lost.
Aug '11
Re: TMI
The most alarming trend I see 'round here is that within the last two weeks, Obama yard signs have been popping up like dandelions on a spring lawn. They're everywhere, and nary a Romney sign to be seen.
Granted, I live in a college town in a notoriously left-wing neighborhood, but on my drives around Our Fair City, I'm just not seeing too many Romney/Ryan signs.
Mar '12
Re: TMI
RightinChicago, I think you are on to something when you noted: I think I'm happier when I don't follow politics closely.
Most moderate to conservative people have other things in their lives besides politics. We used to trust our politicians to smooth out the problems so that we could enjoy our families, our work, our churches, our civic organizations, our kids playing Little or City League. We had all kinds of important things to do, and now we are reduced to hand to hand combat with DC and our state capitals because they've botched so many things up so badly.
Ergo, you are exactly right. We are happier when we aren't always looking over our shoulders to figure out if the people we hired have gotten it right; or wondering how we have to fix the problems we can see but that our politicians cannot see.
Liberals, who don't seem to believe in an afterlife, have nothing else to do, so mucking things up is their right of passage.
Good news. You aren't alone and I too would like to be able to go back to the things that are really important.
Cordially,
dt
Sep '12
Re: TMI
DrewInWisconsin I'm also in a very blue section of a very blue state. One thing you got to remember, libs vandalize things when they see signs they don't like. Us wingnuts really just grumble and then vote.
Re: TMI
Thank you for that.
Re: TMI
dicentra: The only way to keep your sanity under these circumstances is to make like a Boy Scout and Be Prepared.
For what, exactly? I don't know. But the same prep as you'd do for a coming hurricane or blizzard or EMP should do 'er. ยท 33 minutes ago
I live in Wyoming. Believe me, I'm prepared.
Re: TMI
Donald Todd: RightinChicago,Liberals, who don't seem to believe in an afterlife, have nothing else to do, so mucking things up is their right of passage.
dt ยท 14 minutes ago
Ha! Brilliant.
May '10
Re: TMI
I live in Nebraska and have no doubt how we'll vote. The Lame Stream Media with their enablers in the polling world will not suppress the vote here. You know that's their goal because every Donk up and down the line is screaming about suppression (in PA and elsewhere) -- because its what they're up to. It's not even transference or projection, it just is!
May '12
Re: TMI
CJ-
I am going through the same "roller coaster". I heard a definition of frustration once, " Expecting or planning for something, that you have no control over".
We are only one vote. Ours count as much as the SEIU Union loyalist. There are many of them. Reason, facts, and the past 4 year's history have no persuasion over them.
Perhaps, Romney (in the debates) will be able to get to those independents that did vote for Obama in the last election, to re-examine and consider what their vote "bought". These voters (and those other Obama voters that feel a "buyers remorse") are the ones that must be carefully, kindly, and continually "courted" and enlightened (without "bugging" them). If you have driven a Chevy for the past 20 years, it is hard for someone to buy a Ford (or vise versa).
Many of us have sent e-mails to our "circles of influence", (family & friends), in hopes that they will forward them on to others -- perhaps encouraging a few more minds and hearts so that they may be "turned" to Romney.
For those that have a belief in God, prayer (accompanied with fasting) can be of significant assistance.
Dec '10
Re: TMI
I agree C.J. I shall, from this point forward, return to steadfast clinging to God and my guns (cue evil laugh)!