November 8

[Zomby Woof]

I have been ready for this election for so long, that I am beyond anxiety, dread, hope, or longing.

I am not even contemplating how I will feel regardless of the outcome. I can imagine feeling anger and despair over a Republican victory; and conversely, I can conjure an image of me jumping around in ecstasy, swept up in euphoria if things go our way - especially if we get those juicy Senate seats.

Yet I won't quite entertain my imagination that far. I don't want to climb so high in anticipation that I come crashing down if defeat prevails. I learned that lesson in 2002, and it served me well in 2004. Perhaps not well enough, for I posted an embarrassing tirade that I was "done with politics" and rationalized the hell out of my wounds by staking a position of disinterest and contempt. I was fortunate that many of you allowed me to come crawling back on my knees pleading forgiveness as I summoned my will to fight the good fight once again.

So my thoughts on this Most Important of Midterms concern the aftermath and how much more constructively I will deal with it, win or lose (or tie, barring a Senate takeover). My recent appointment as a voting center director on Election Day gives me just enough optimism to faintly dream, and just enough protection from obsessing over the results all day as I will not be subject to any election coverage until it is past midnight on the east coast.

It also gives me a sense of empowerment, however illusory it may be on some levels, that it is up to me how much I participate, how much I contribute, and how much I care. Win, lose, or draw, I will be ready to keep fighting the Republicans and the neo-con agenda (the only "agenda" that has caused irrefutable and noticeable harm in the past half decade plus), I will be very ready to hold the Democrats we reward with Congress accountable to advance a platform for economic justice, trade balance, lobbyist reform, and addressing the very real failures of Iraq. Either way, we're in for a fight on November 8. I'm in. There will be no fits of despair from me if the worst outcome prevails, and no overly dramatic gloating or punching the air if we Democrats take it all. There is too much work to do, and although I would happily celebrate our victory, I have too much awareness of the hard road ahead to revel for only so long.

Sweet it will be if we win, sorrowful if not... but I am in. I am ready.

Ante up.

[specimenfred1984]

1. Imagine when the US attacks Iran, possibly with nukes

just after the election, regardless of who wins. The election won't matter at all then, fascism will raise its ugly head to remind us all that we were taken over by criminals several years ago.

It'll be impossible to have impeachment and war crimes trials if "we're at war".

[Zomby Woof]

3. There will be no impeachment

Regardless of Iran. My own feelings about impeachment aside, consider my pragmatic analysis:

:bluebox: It will take up so much energy, time, and media coverage, that it will obscure or even impede promoting our platform beyond the first round of committee hearings.

:bluebox: The public attention span being so short, an impeachment process could backfire and be spun as "vengeful Democrats" and other nonsense, thereby ensuring our agenda is dead in the water, as far as public support goes.

:bluebox: 2008 is too soon to take for granted. Since it is not guaranteed that a Democrat can capture the White House, we must work hard on promoting our platform, obstructing Bush's agenda, and making sure we retain the majority in two years no matter who's president.

Pelosi is right - making Bush a lame duck is our best bet.

I think the Iran situation is posturing. I knew months before Iraq that we intended to invade - it was obvious to most of us. But Iran? It's dick-waving. We simply are too overextended in Afghanistan and Iraq to commit to Iran. I refuse to get caught up in emotionalistic hyperbole about it.

[Bumblebee]

2. I know the feeling. I am also so much more cautious than I was in 2000

and 2004 while the lay of the land actually looks much better. I think we all probably are, and for a good reason. I am also just counting on the House (more difficult for them to "firewall," including fixing results) than on the Senate so, given my caution, I will be deliriously happy even if they just win one and increase their numbers (which they will) in the other. I do think it behooves us to keep our expectations realistic and I am almost glad we are no longer "expected' by the MSM to win the Senate because if we do, that would be fantastic but if we don't, the rightwingers will try but have less effect in suggesting Dems are totally hapless because they won 4 seats rather than 6. On Nov 7 I intend to spend the whole day with Darcy Burner's campaign (after, of course, I cast my own vote in neighboring Seattle...)

[Zomby Woof]

4. I think I will feel relief more than anything

Even with just a simple House majority and picking up some gubernatorial seats. Relief.

[MuseRider]

5. It is so good to see you back

here in the trenches. Not let you back in? Hell, even the ZombyTroof from the ZombyWoof needs a break now and then.

I look forward to reading what you write, I really missed you. :hi:

[Zomby Woof]

6. Heya Muse!

I've been around. But it's not easy being heard above the "OMG! CALL CONGRESS NOW!!11" din. ;-)

That being said, I don't have much to say right now... I am saving that for the aftermath. :hi:

Missed you too! :hug:

[Hubert Flottz]

7. I hope the democrats in these races are willing to fight for the jobs

they are asking the voters for...

If the Vote count is suspect will they fight, for our right to have our votes counted to everyone's satisfaction. If it turns out that people were cheating this time...WILL THEY FIGHT? Will they fight for our country and it's citizens, like they ask our kids in Iraq and Afghanistan to fight for us? Will they defend the Constitution?

[Zomby Woof]

8. That may be the biggest fight of all

Their fight has to be bigger than ours. There will be hell to pay. And we'll be the ones footing the bill!

[opihimoimoi]

9. Heya to the Zomby:::: ALL IN......... ALL IN...we gonna WIN ...LOL

[Zomby Woof]

10. Yeah

And we're coming to YOUR island for a BIG party! :party: :aloha: :toast:

[opihimoimoi]

12. I'm IN..... I'm IN......Come, we make party,,,,,laugh, sing, eat, drink, Smile.

[JeffR]

11. Bravo!

:applause: :woohoo: :applause:

[saltpoint]

13. Sure liked this post. Sure like this poster.

Hot dog and bravo, ZombyWoof.

[jus_the_facts]

14. All together now....."Que sera... sera.......

....Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours to see
Que sera, sera
What will be, will be...."

....since my DEM senator has been a traitor as well as my majority DEM state legislature and Governor...and we now have Sequoia machines throughout my state...my cynicism remains concrete regardless of the outcome...I DARE SAY! :nopity:

[Zomby Woof]

15. I have one good Dem senator

Boxer.

And one bad one, Feinstein.

I figure as long as we have Boxer, I can hold on to a glimmer. But my cynicism is just about as ingrained as yours. :-)

[jus_the_facts]

16. Here's an example of why my hope and faith are non-existant....

....in case you missed this one.... :eyes:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2496215&mesg_id=2496641