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:
Nov '10
Re: TMI
I'm in agreement. I've bored of the election talk. I'm absolutely convinced that the middle of the road voters are going to go heavy for Romney. The only thing that convinces me of that are the folks I've talked to who voted Obama last year and can't stand him. There are a lot of them, in my sphere of influence.
Dec '10
Re: TMI
dicentra: 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.
My reaction was similar, but from the opposite direction: If ONLY it were true American Constitutionalism. Nos es fatum.
Jul '10
Re: TMI
Obama will loose by 6.625%
Take heart brother ...
Check this out
Sep '12
Re: TMI
I feel blue listening to the skewed coverage...Romney's comments are more controversial than a dead ambassador? than a terribly botched fast & furious campaign and coverup? than missed national security briefings? than an AWOL president? Etc. etc. Obama sets my teeth on edge! Such a bag of wind!!!! LUCKILY, I'm in a totally blue state and there's no use engaging friends or neighbors...God help me if I were in a battleground state. I'd be embroiled and emotionally unbalanced. So I do two things:
One, I make calls through the Romney campaign to battleground states and plan to visit Virginia to help one time. Okay, I'll send some more money, too.
Two, I literally get on my knees and pray for the United States and for jobs and for my small business!!!
Jul '11
Re: TMI
I've got a message for you regarding Obama.
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!"
Red Dead Redemption: "Gods Gonna Cut You Down"
Apr '11
Re: TMI
I live in Deep Blue Northern California and am used to being "outed" as a conservative at my friend's same sex wedding, or the token republican at the democratic debate party etc. This election cycle I have had a number of friends of the leftish persuasion ask me specific questions and a few even talk openly about being undecided. For example, a Doctor friend, who is Jewish and long time democrat, has openly said he is considering voting for Romney because of Obamacare. I think that there are a lot out there. They see the horror on peoples faces when they find out I am a conservative, and don't want that grief, but they know what the consequences of four more years of the current crew. So they are officially undecided or leaning Obama, but in reality they are strongly considering Romney. Enough to make a difference? I hope so.
Anyway CJ, (just finished Below Zero btw - great book) take heart. And spend the next few weeks writing another great book.
Re: TMI
Your post gave me a little more optimism, thank you. And thanks for reading BELOW ZERO, man.
Apr '11
Re: TMI
Elvis does a fantastic rendition of this song. In fact, I switched from Rush on AM radio to Elvis on XM radio and I am much happier during the day. At night, when I catch up on the news... not so happy.
DocJay: I've got a message for you regarding Obama.
You can run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Run on for a long time
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Sooner or later God'll cut you down
Go tell that long tongue liar
Go and tell that midnight rider
Tell the rambler, the gambler, the back biter
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Tell 'em that God's gonna cut 'em down
Well my goodness gracious let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dew
I've been down on bended knee talkin' to the man from Galilee
He spoke to me in the voice so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of the angel's feet
He called my name and my heart stood still
When he said, "John go do My will!" · 33 minutes ag
Mar '12
Re: TMI
There is One more important than this election,
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Psalm 123
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens.
2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God, Until He has mercy on us.
3 Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!
For we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
4 Our soul is exceedingly filled With the scorn of those who are at ease,
With the contempt of the proud.
Mar '11
Re: TMI
Welcome to Ricochet, Carolyn!
Mind the cats; they haven't had all their shots.
Apr '11
Re: TMI
I feel the same and took up bird watching for therapy.
Edited on September 26, 2012 at 11:36pmJul '10
Re: TMI
Best explanation of the polls I've read (probably here) holds that they are assuming the turnout will be like 2008 when most people were willing for a variety of reasons to cut the cool black guy some slack. That advantage isn't on offer this time around. I find it hard to go off politics cold turkey, so I guess I'll be chewing my fingernails up to the end. I never signed up to live in interesting times.
Jul '12
Re: TMI
CJ-- here's a little somethin' to cheer you.
My 96 year old, WWII veteran, father has never voted in his life. 'Too busy raisin' 8 kids' has always been his excuse. In August, I asked him how he felt about Obama and he said, 'I'm real disappointed in him and I wish I could vote him out'. My Dad is now registered to vote in the sorry state of California for the first time. When the news gets me down, I fantasize that there are tons of new voters like my Dad.
Jul '12
Re: TMI
I must admit there's a part of me that just wants to tune out. Nothing's going to change how I vote in November, so in that sense I'm not accomplishing by following the political news except stressing myself out. But here I still am...
Re: TMI
Babci: CJ-- here's a little somethin' to cheer you.
My 96 year old, WWII veteran, father has never voted in his life. 'Too busy raisin' 8 kids' has always been his excuse. In August, I asked him how he felt about Obama and he said, 'I'm real disappointed in him and I wish I could vote him out'. My Dad is now registered to vote in the sorry state of California for the first time. When the news gets me down, I fantasize that there are tons of new voters like my Dad. · 30 minutes ago
You know what? That DOES cheer me up. My best to your dad.
Jan '12
Re: TMI
Sometimes I have to tune out for a bit because politics wears me out. Like a lot of you, I find myself going back and forth between extreme optimism and thinking we're all doomed. I did see something tonight that heartened me: I live in a traditionally moderate Republican area that 4 years ago went for Obama, but today I saw a bunch of Romney signs, mostly outside of small businesses. I live in Illinois so it's unlikely that those individual people will have much of an impact, but I can only hope others like them throughout the country, especially in swing states, feel the same way.
May '10
Re: TMI
Here's an interesting tidbit to cheer you up. Mitt is campaigning in Pennsylvania Friday.
May '11
Re: TMI
Excellent post but I'd like to quibble about your wording. All of the stuff coming in right now is not information; it's data. Data does not necessarliy lead you to a reasonable conclusion. Information does and it's very difficult to find in all the noise right now.
Sep '11
Re: TMI
I confess I'll not watch the debates- and when Election news comes on I mute it or fast forward. I don't see the point of watching something that will infuriate me. (I'm addicted to Ricochet however!)
Re: TMI
I'm sure you are correct as well as aptly named.