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Election Fatigue Setting In

Is anyone else experiencing Sudden Election Fatigue Syndrome?

My cases have become much more interesting this week and I'm barely watching the national news. I haven't even been online that much.

I think this will be the shortest election night in history. We'll probably know the winner when the polls close on the East Coast, unless there's a news blackout on returns and exit polls until voting ends on the West Coast.

It might be different if the race were closer, if McCain/Palin hadn't become a national embarrassment. Republicans can either pull their blankets over their head and hope it's a bad dream or fight among themselves about who made the worst choices -- their candidate, his VP choice or his own campaign staff.

Obama ran a masterful campaign and went the distance. I'll be looking forward to January when I can begin tracking the change he brings, but for right now, I'm election'ed out. Am I the only one?

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    No me (5.00 / 9) (#2)
    by andgarden on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:34:55 PM EST
    This has been 8 years coming. Nothing's been right since the Republicans stole the election in 2000.

    Not tired of the (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by cal1942 on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:53:15 PM EST
    campaign to end the Republican desecration of the White House, but having terrible anxiety over whether we'll actually be able to pull it off.

    I'm worried about every state that is not now solid Obama.

    We haven't seen a legitimate poll for New Mexico since the 13th and some of the Florida polls seem to have unusual swings.  

    Parent

    I'm a gambler, (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:01:43 PM EST
    And a cynical contrarian of the highest order.

    Sleep well tonight............. we won..


    Parent

    Thanks (none / 0) (#41)
    by cal1942 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:24:08 AM EST
    NYShooter.

    Parent
    That's probably true, but (none / 0) (#5)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:39:30 PM EST
    like my old football coach used to say, " if you were ahead by thirty points like you should have been, the referee's lousy call wouldn't have mattered."

    Parent
    What's probably true? (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by andgarden on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:42:15 PM EST
    That the 2000 election was stolen is pretty much indisputable in my view.

    Should Al Gore have done better? All I know is that he would have been a far better President.

    Parent

    Did I imply Gore (none / 0) (#11)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:45:16 PM EST
    wouldn't have been a better President?

    Parent
    No (none / 0) (#13)
    by andgarden on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:47:25 PM EST
    You said that something was "probably true." To what were you referring?

    Parent
    That (none / 0) (#18)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:56:31 PM EST
    the election was probably stolen.

    What the Supremes did was an obscenity of untold and unprecedented proportion. That's indisputable. Also, what kid brother Jeb did in the suppressing voters added to the outrage.

    Whether Gore would've won if the vote was fair, and permitted to continue, is debatable.

    I tend to agree that he "probably" would've won, but that's not 100% sure.


    Parent

    I don't think that's accurate (5.00 / 2) (#72)
    by Exeter on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:16:34 AM EST
    My understanding is that if the entire state was recounted as the Florida Supreme court had ordered, the Gore would have won, according to thorough analysis conducted by a group of Florida newspapers that did a lengthy FOIA review of the ballots in question.

    Parent
    But they didn't have a recount (none / 0) (#103)
    by NYShooter on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:05:21 AM EST
    which is why I said "probably."

    There is a difference between anecdotal/circumstantial/deductive reasoning......and 100% metaphysical certainty.

    Jeesh, we're slicing the baby pretty thin, dontcha think?


    Parent

    Why are you such a fricken liar? (none / 0) (#108)
    by Exeter on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 03:42:54 PM EST
    Just kidding; )  I hear what you're saying...  I thought that they did actually count every ballot, but it sounds more reasonable that they tested and extrapolated.

    Parent
    Me too (none / 0) (#59)
    by WS on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:13:01 AM EST
    If all goes as expected next Tuesday, my head will be buzzing with ideas about changing this country for the better.  I agree with Obama's priorities of having energy, health care, and education go first but I would put health care above energy.  A lot of people will be helped with Obama's health care plan , which will hopefully be improved in the legislative process.    

    Parent
    I've rediscovered the joys of reading. (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by oculus on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:36:23 PM EST


    Turner Classic Movies is my new fave (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by Cream City on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:43:34 PM EST
    channel, and I was such a news-channel junkie.  I even find myself entranced by old Lon Chaney non-talkies that require that I focus my full attention on the tv and ignore the computer.

    And no commercials!  The awful political ad onslaught has me looking forward, as I said in another thread, to the return of Cialis ads . . . if ever I can return to watching pundits again.  Blecch.  All those left on tv has embarrassed themselves at some point.  It's most interesting to see which ones removed themselves from the fray a while ago.  If some of those wiser heads return, I may do so, too.  Or maybe not.  There's still some more Lon Chaney movies that I haven't seen yet.:-)

    Parent

    Even the Obama daughters are tired (5.00 / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:53:47 PM EST
    of Dad's ads!

    Parent
    me, I'm watching West Wing (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by sarany on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 06:16:26 AM EST
    season by season, via Netflix.

    West Wing was my consistent comfort during Bush's reign of absurd terror.

    I'm enjoying it again now.  Even watching the compromising w Repubs (and conservative Dems) is helping prepare me for Obama Disappointment Syndrome.

    Speaking of the above, let's enjoy the last few days, and get ready to Push for Progressive Change!  We'll need to get back in the game, and 2010 midterms are coming faster than we think.  The first six months are key.

    Parent

    Did you watch (none / 0) (#17)
    by BarnBabe on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:55:01 PM EST
    Sunset Blvd tonight? It is always great. Haven't seen it in years. I got political fatigue over 2 months ago. Since then I have probably seen every single House episode and caught Project Runway. Top Chef next. This whole election process has gone on way too long. And we are only 2 years away from 2010 elections and then they start running all over again.

    Parent
    Which is why I was counting on (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by oculus on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:01:30 PM EST
    resumption of the WS game 5 tonight.

    Parent
    YES! Top Chef is coming back! (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by nycstray on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:14:52 PM EST
    Can't wait. Bravo does pretty good "reality" shows. Hopefully they'll utilize our Farmer's Markets a lot  ;) Iron Chef had the Union Sq market as a secret ingredient, which was fun.

    Cooking and football are nice diversions for political fatigue.

    Parent

    Me too!!!!!! It has been wonderful (none / 0) (#77)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:40:23 AM EST
    Oddly, I couldn't seem to enjoy a work of fiction for the past seven or so years.  I was very distraught, who needed fiction when I felt like I as living fiction?  I recently reread Toni Morrison's 'Beloved' though and I have now started 'The Story of Edward Sawtelle'.  I have also returned to an old habit of having several books scattered around the house in various stages of being read.

    Parent
    I recently reread Grisham's Brethren (none / 0) (#80)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:44:14 AM EST
    and found it rather scarily prescient of this year.

    Parent
    Haven't read it (none / 0) (#85)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:49:01 AM EST
    Have a couple of Grisham's around here and have enjoyed them so I'll have to add that one too.  Thank you.

    Parent
    I'm reading the latest Booker Prize (5.00 / 1) (#105)
    by oculus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:18:40 AM EST
    winner:  The White Tiger, which is a novel about an Indian man who was born in a small village and into a lower caste.  He's purportedly an entrepeneur in Bangalore as he narrates his advice to a soon-to-visit-India Chinese politico.  

    And, I'm listening to the CDs of Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals, about the men who ran for the Presidency Lincoln won and who were subsequently in his cabinet.  Very interesting.

    Parent

    Yeah, Fight Among Themselves (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by cal1942 on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:38:48 PM EST
    who made the worst choices -- their candidate, his VP choice or his own campaign staff.

    Or the GOP's right-wing dominated ideology that put us in this terrible mess at home and abroad.


    I'm so tired of this election that I've lost (5.00 / 5) (#12)
    by tigercourse on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:45:52 PM EST
    the will to argue about it. Which is pretty drastic for me.

    I'm wondering how tomorrow's 30 min spot (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by Howard Zinn on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:19:44 PM EST
    will play to a fatigued audience.  Most swing voters have already been inundated.  I'm not sure what approach would help him at this point -- definitely nothing hyped or "hope incarnate" stuff.  And policy points are a bit redundant as well.

    I guess he'll do a mix of somber speech, family stuff, and some specifics.

    Of course the best thing he could do . . . is get Pink Floyd back together to perform a 30 min live show.

    I'd like to know how much it cost (5.00 / 4) (#53)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 06:46:25 AM EST
    to do this 30 min. thing.

    I don't think it will have that much impact.  I'm getting more and more upset with the amount of money spent on this campaign, given that so many people are hurting, losing their homes, and losing their jobs.  The bail out bill hasn't provided any relief for the average American.  And I'm really getting fatigued by the begging (sometimes very demanding) for money.  Enough is enough.  

    Parent

    Was just talking about this the other day -- (5.00 / 2) (#56)
    by Howard Zinn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 07:49:52 AM EST
    it'd be great PR for Obama to announce that any funds left over after the election would be donated to those hurt by this mess.

    Parent
    Or to food pantries. n/t (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by Coral on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 07:56:39 AM EST
    I don't think he can do that (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by indy in sc on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:50:25 AM EST
    with the regulations around campaign donations.  I think any funds left over either have to be put towards another presidential election or returned to the donors.

    It is a nice idea though to do something charitable with the money.

    Parent

    I rated 5 (none / 0) (#98)
    by sarany on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:20:41 AM EST
    for this and the food pantries entry for the great intention, even if it's not an option (per election law).

    But, I'd really like to see Obama pull out all the stops for the down ticket.  Spend every penny, but what's needed on Monday and Tuesday

    Parent

    "Just say no." (none / 0) (#54)
    by Fabian on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 07:44:49 AM EST
    Works for me every time.  

    "Love you, love your work!  Need to pay the bills.  So sorry.  Try me again next economy."

    I love Hollywood talk.  Everybody loves everybody and everything else - except for a few trivial details that need to be changed.  

    Parent

    does it matter how much this thing cost? (none / 0) (#61)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:40:19 AM EST
    considering 2.3 billion has been spent on the presidential election and 5.3 billion has been spent on all elections this cycle?

    Why bring up one advertising piece when 5.3 bn is the real number?

    Parent

    That's an interesting question (5.00 / 3) (#74)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:30:35 AM EST
    I'm not sure how to answer it.  It's not the first time I've wondered how much a particular thing has cost in this campaign.  

    Maybe it's because there was so much focus on Palin's 150K clothing bill that I'm wondering how much this particular ad buy cost.

    Regardless, I'm really conflicted about the money factor in this campaign, and in recent years.  I know it was necessary to outraise and outspend the Republicans who creamed us in the financial sense during the last decade or so, but I really, really hope we don't continue to put this kind of money into campaigning in the future, I hope it doesn't escalate each election season (as has been the trend), and I wish we could raise this kind of money to create jobs and help people have some security in their daily lives.  I wish we could raise this kind of money to make sure the Bush admin. and cronies are held accountable, and to restore our rights.

    I hope we can get more focus on more local elections, and most of all, I hope the era of the perpetual campaign is over.  The day after the 2006 election, we were immediately thrust into 2008.  If that happens again after this election, I will not be happy.  We sacrificed a lot of other issues for this 2008 election.  Many, many things were ignored or postponed until after this election.  So when it's over, it's time to get to work on real issues and accountability - not on the next election.  There are no more excuses.  We will most likely have the WH, and solid majorities in both houses of Congress.  No more excuses.  No more campaigning.  No more fund raising.  No more not rocking the boat.  No more long recesses while people suffer.

    Parent

    5.3 bn (5.00 / 1) (#76)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:36:47 AM EST
    could save more than 500,000 homes from foreclosure.  Perhaps the dems will show us a magic jobs wand after the election but the amount of money spent to elect a president in a democracy is shameful.

    If the money situation were reversed, dems would be up in arms, thankfully for the sake of the middle class it was not reversed.  So I guess the disgusting amount of money spent got us out of having another disaster of a president but it still does not make me feel any better about campaign financing and spending like crazy while 10 million americans are out of work....

    Parent

    Also curious about the content of the ad (none / 0) (#79)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:43:24 AM EST
    In addition to being curious about how much it's costing, I'm very curious about how Obama is going to use the 30 minutes.  I'm hoping it turns out to be something that is really, really good, really different, and really effective.  I hope it's a brilliant counter to dishonest smears and a stellar presentation of what a President Obama will deliver.  I hope it blows me away.  

    So while I'm skeptical about how much impact it will have, and not happy that it probably costs enough to save a lot of homes, I'm still pulling for him for it to be a success.  As I said, I am conflicted, in many ways and for many reasons, about this campaign, but in the end I support it, I'm pulling for them, and on election day, he gets my vote.  

    Has any information been released (or leaked) about the plans for this ad?  Somebody must know something.  Spill it! Or at least give us some hints.  :)

    Parent

    huffpost (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:53:09 AM EST
    has a preview online.  

    Parent
    If he put Bowie up for 30 (none / 0) (#31)
    by nycstray on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:26:16 PM EST
    he'd get my attention ;)

    I'd tune in for PF also.

    As it is, I think it's going to be pretty middle of the road pleasing everyone and no one. Safe as all get out.

    Parent

    I'm not fatigued (5.00 / 3) (#30)
    by Radiowalla on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:23:22 PM EST
    because the downticket races are still very competitive.  Here in CA there are some ballot propositions that are highly important as well.

    The downticket races are very exciting for me (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:53:54 AM EST
    too.  It is energizing to watch the country swing more left FINALLY.  It has been a harsh long winter in Narnia :)

    Parent
    Heh. (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptainAmerica08 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:01:50 AM EST
    With Obama (none / 0) (#94)
    by Lena on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:13:28 AM EST
    setting the tone for the Democratic party, I don't know that the country is really swinging left, so much as swinging against Republican misrule.

    It makes me sad to think of what could have been possible for Progressives this election cycle...

    Parent

    He isn't the most exciting candidate (none / 0) (#113)
    by Militarytracy on Thu Oct 30, 2008 at 10:04:47 AM EST
    for progressives, but I am focusing on every progressive goal he has and he has a couple so far that he is committing to.

    Parent
    Any recent news on CD 4? (none / 0) (#32)
    by nycstray on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:27:14 PM EST
    and 3? Those are 2 races I'm interested in.

    Parent
    Not a Masterful Campaign. (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by No Blood for Hubris on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:59:34 PM EST
    Not with painting Clinton/Clinton as racist, and throwing the Clinton1 legacy under the bus, and kowtowing toward Reagan, and getting all smoochy with the righwing religiouseses, and being all so sweetie and she's likeable enough, and not man enough to stand up for FISA.

    So, no, not masterful at a ll, but a campaign that came along at the right time and thus has succeeded due to karma, cause and effect.

    He came along at the right time.

    And really, that's a good thing.

    "He's just this guy.." (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by Fabian on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 07:48:34 AM EST
    Our very own Zaphod Beeblebrox.

    (I have to agree with Douglas Adams - one essential attribute for anyone running for the highest office is a galaxy sized ego.)

    Parent

    Actually I thought Bush was the spitting image (none / 0) (#81)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:45:25 AM EST
    of Zaphod Beeblebrox.  In the movie, I even wondered whether they purposely gave him a Texas twang and cowboy boots to make him like Bush.

    Parent
    Oh, yeah. (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by Fabian on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:09:10 AM EST
    There was a definite (and presumably intentional) resemblance.  Bush is the most vacuous head of state in a long time.

    This doesn't mean that there aren't others out there.

    (NPR did a bit on the candidate's books this morning.  Talked a bit about how Obama's Indonesian experience taught him a lot about foreign policy.  I wonder what Obama's book would have sounded like if he had written it at age 13.  You can make any life experience sound ever so influential with loads of hind sight.  Ditto for fitting in a carefully crafted narrative.  Of all the things they could have chosen to talk about, The Indonesia Experience was low on my list.  However, I'd love to hear more about his mother, who lived a fascinating and unconventional life.)

    Parent

    I look forward (5.00 / 4) (#42)
    by Steve M on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:24:14 AM EST
    to hearing all the Republicans who have been deriding Obama as a socialist, suddenly change their message and start declaring that he has no mandate for liberal policies since he ran as a conservative.

    Yep. In 2006 I remember (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by IndiDemGirl on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:36:40 AM EST
    Hannity screaming that electing Webb would be disaster for Virginia and for the country.  He campaigned for George Macaca because Webb was just so liberal.   Yet within 2 days of webb's win he was saying that the victory was really a loss for the Dems because Webb was so conservative.

    Parent
    Yep. And when you can trust when (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptainAmerica08 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:28:25 AM EST
    Obama wins by less than than the 15 pt Pew poll, they will cite the outlier double digit polls as another rationale as to why there is no progressive mandate.

    Parent
    I'm a bit worried (none / 0) (#84)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:48:46 AM EST
    about what some Republicans are going to do with their pent up frustration and hatred.  I do think the fringe will go back into a dark corner for some years and rant and plot to take over the world.  But what else will they do?  Rush Limbaugh will be more popular than ever, I suppose.  It will be good for people like him.

    My guess is that Hannity, Limbaugh, and the like, will spend the coming years trying to revise history, and blame everything on the Democrats.

    Parent

    See Bob Somerby (none / 0) (#97)
    by Fabian on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:16:23 AM EST
    They went after Clinton on day one.  Of course, "they" included all of the Villagers, not just the conservatives or the republicans.  Plus Bill was a real Outsider, not hand picked by the Villagers.

    (Tuesday included Bob Herbert trash talking Palin and holding Hillary Clinton up in contrast.  Clinton good.  Palin bad.  Somerby then digs up a little mud that Herbert was slinging earlier this year against Hillary.  And a little more and a little more...  I'm with Fox Mulder: Trust No One.)

    Parent

    i doubt you'll be spending (5.00 / 7) (#43)
    by cpinva on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:24:23 AM EST
    all that much time tracking the "changes" with an obama presidency, jeralyn. sen. obama's past is (like bush's was) prelude to his future. he's not the progessive you've attempted (badly) to make him out to be.

    yes, he'll try and get us out of iraq as soon as is practicable. yes, i think he'll close down guantanamo, relocate all the prisoner's to either domestic military or civilian jails, and move their proceedings to civilian courts.

    those aren't "progressive" actions, just common sense.

    when he works to get rid of the patriot act and re-write FISA, then we can talk. until that happens, he's a progressive like i'm a heart surgeon.

    not even on tv!

    Yeah, I see a lot of holding steady (5.00 / 6) (#46)
    by nycstray on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:41:41 AM EST
    no big changes. He may speak better than he did at the beginning of this campaign, but not much else has changed. He "might" be a Democrat, but I think he's more of a Center Right Pleaser. Change will be something spare in your pocket (if we're lucky) ;)

    Parent
    not to mention re-working the (none / 0) (#48)
    by of1000Kings on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 01:36:11 AM EST
    war on drugs

    Parent
    Under your criteria (none / 0) (#49)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 01:37:45 AM EST
    Who was our last progressive president-- have we ever had one? (Carter is the only who approaches those values):

    Dem Presidents anti-progressive policies
    Clinton: Issued Executive order authorizing extraordinary renditions; welfare reform

    LBJ: A possibility, but continued to employ Hoover, utilized surveillance against domestic groups (possibly Vietnam, though this may not count)

    JFK: Hired RFK, conducted illegal surveillance of MLK

    Truman: Another Distinct possibility; didn't close Internment camps

    FDR: Interned Japanese

    Wilson: Palmer Raids, Suppression of Dissent during WWI

    Seriously, other than Carter who would fit the mold of a progressive president?  
    So yeah, I've

    Parent

    yes, we have: (5.00 / 4) (#50)
    by cpinva on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 03:54:18 AM EST
    Who was our last progressive president-- have we ever had one?

    none of them perfect.

    clinton: reduced taxes on middle class; increased on rich; balanced the budget; reduced wasteful defense spending; reformed welfare (it needed to be); increased spending on health, education and general welfare. perfect progressive? nope, not hardly (he did sign the defense of marriage act), but all things considered, not too shabby.

    LBJ: pushed congress (while twisting arms) to pass the civil rights & health legislation that comprised the bulk of his great society. also got crappy advice from the "best and brightest" on vietnam. again, not perfect, but an improvement over any republican since eisenhower.

    JFK: hired RFK; took full responsibility for the bay of pigs, even though it was initiated by the eisenhower administration. showed super-cool diplomatic instincts during the cuban missile crisis, avoiding nuclear war. not to bad for a young guy. now he would be a conservative, in his time, a progressive. got saddled with j.e. hoover.

    truman: desegregated the military.

    FDR: gave people hope during the depression; did a pretty decent job during the war, until he was really, really sick. got SS legislation passed. just generally pissed off the republicans. enough to make him a progressive hero right there! lol

    wilson: was actually a modern republican, just 40 years early. not certain he really counts.

    probably our last truly progressive president was teddy roosevelt: stout conservationist, trust buster. also a man of his times. bully!


    Parent

    Are you forgetting the primary? (none / 0) (#86)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:52:13 AM EST
    I don't think Jeralyn tried to paint Obama as a progressive.  It seemed quite the opposite to me.

    He took a populist turn at the convention, but we all know he's no progressive.  Even many of his biggest fans will admit that.

    Now we have to wait and see how much of his move to the middle (and to the right) was for the purpose of the election, and how much of it was principle.

    Parent

    I'm thoroughly fatigued (5.00 / 3) (#47)
    by shoephone on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 01:15:39 AM EST
    and have been for weeks!

    But I may be taking part in an election day project to monitor a nationwide data base of voting problems as they occur, and then report in real time to some legal team or other in New York on the trends. Then they will send people out immediately to investigate the situation at those precincts and hopefully, resolve the problems before the polls close.

    Yes, it sounds a little confusing to me but I'm supposed to get two sessions of training before Tuesday.

    It will be a night of nail-biting here in WA. Our governor's race is (once again) too close for comfort, the 8th district House race between Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner is too close to call, and we have a state legislative district race between two Democrats (who emerged from our new "top two" primary) that has been fairly nasty.

    I plan to sleep all day Wednesday, November 5th.

    I didn't think it was possible, (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by alsace on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 05:32:54 AM EST
    but after we banked our 2 Obama votes here in VA, the phone calls and TV commercials suddenly became even more annoying.

    Election Fatigue (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:13:16 AM EST
    I think I maxed out on election fatigue at the end of the primary in June.  I really thought I was done with this election at that point, and would need to find other ways to try to contribute to positive change.  I lost all identification with the Democratic party.  I did go through with the plans to attend Netroots Nation, after a lot of consideration.  My companion was even more upset than I was, and refused to go, so my son went instead.  I had little enthusiasm for the convention and a lot of residual resentment.

    These past two months, I've started to come around, slowly.  I've paid relatively little attention to the campaigns and avoided the idiotic talking heads.  I've been more interested in the issues, particularly the economy, the real life problems of Americans, and the financial crisis.  I have some Wall St. background so I've been reading and watching the Congressional hearings.  I've also been spending some time (should do more) watching what Bush/Cheney et al are doing.

    I've spent more time on personal and home issues.  I've avoided fanatical supporters almost entirely.  And I've slowly come around to a position I'm comfortable with, and am starting to feel like a part of the Obama community (at the very edges) and still a Democrat, but one who is still interested in trying to build a strong third party, and one who plans to do everything I can to demand investigations and accountability come 2009.

    So except for health issues and severe anxiety about the economy (both my household's economy an the country's economy), I think I'm rested now and ready for the last stretch before the election, and I'm actually looking for ways to do some small things to help in these last critical days.  Months ago I swore that I would do nothing to help this campaign, except (very reluctantly) give them my vote, but that has changed.  I've done a lot of talking to people in my sphere of influence.  I'll do some more now.  I know it's not much, but it's something.

    fatiqued out (4.83 / 6) (#25)
    by koshembos on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:07:06 PM EST
    since the Democratic convention. Obama and McCain were neck in neck until Lehman. Now Obama is a head due to Paulson and Bush. Kucinch would have won too.

    I expect very little of Obama. He still sings his unity song written by Broder and is the enemy of progress.

    We're so fatigued (none / 0) (#1)
    by NYShooter on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:31:41 PM EST
    we can't answer the question.

    Watch Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina.... (none / 0) (#6)
    by EddieInCA on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:40:02 PM EST
    If those are called for Obama within 10 minutes of the polls closing there, it will be a VERY short night. Because if Obama wins Georgia, he's winning Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and maybe even West Virginia.

    Virginia is sufficient for an early election (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by andgarden on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:40:45 PM EST
    PA too if you're feeling extra cautious.

    Parent
    A blowout win will not be an early evening for me (5.00 / 4) (#36)
    by magster on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:46:41 PM EST
    I want to watch republican pundits crying and moaning, evil ballot propositions go down, 60 seat majority, etc., etc.

    Does Red Bull make a champagne so I can last the night through?

    Parent

    If Virginia's called (none / 0) (#21)
    by cal1942 on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:59:44 PM EST
    shortly after 8 PM for Obama; everyone can relax, it'll be over.  

    Parent
    The fact that (none / 0) (#9)
    by TruthMatters on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:42:52 PM EST
    those are even "states to watch"

    just stepping back and thinking about it.

    wow, the Democratic Party at all levels did a great job this year, it was a very long interesting election cycle.

    at least we left the history books something worth reading! ;)

    Parent

    History will be made either way (5.00 / 4) (#14)
    by Cream City on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:47:48 PM EST
    with either ticket, interestingly.  Yes, this campaign will make for some interesting books -- but at such a cost to this country in so many ways.

    Parent
    Georgia? (none / 0) (#107)
    by Fitz on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:37:00 AM EST
    I haven't been here in a while, I didn't realize that people here have lost their minds. BTW, I live in Marietta, GA.


    Parent
    Anxiety not fatigue (none / 0) (#19)
    by hilts on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:59:10 PM EST
    I'm anxious that too many Obama voters will think this election is in the bag and stay home. Between complacency and overconfidence of Obama supporters and voter suppression tactics, McCain can still win this thing.

    Don't worry (none / 0) (#63)
    by jsj20002 on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:48:57 AM EST
    Here in Michigan Barack is up nearly 20% and the get out the vote effort is still going strong. We are still canvassing this weekend and will be knocking on all Dem and Obama doors Monday and Tuesday.  We want to take at least two seats in Congress, maintain our grasp on the Michigan House, take control of the Senate, and remove the arch conservative activist Chief Justice of the state supreme court.  We will be offering all Obama volunteers a place in a newly dominant Michigan Democratic Party.  All of this depends on a very high turnout for Obama.  Yes we can!

    Parent
    You start and end with questions.... (none / 0) (#20)
    by CoralGables on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:59:10 PM EST
    No Yes

    Letterman is getting (none / 0) (#22)
    by Blowback on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:59:49 PM EST
    really boring too! Has anybody noticed this? Can't stand any more "Thing on Donald Trump's Head."

    Letterman was real good with the McCain snub but man, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

    On the oter hand, Dave's show with Craig Ferguson is getting real good.

    See the part he did with McCain's heh? heh? heh? thing? McCain was editd with animals, donkeys etc. Anybody got the You Tube clip of this? very  funny.  heh?

    Watch Election Fatigue become (none / 0) (#26)
    by mg7505 on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:08:15 PM EST
    the new fascination of pollsters and the MSM. Why? Because this election can only be close if Obama supporters become too bored to vote for him.

    I already voted (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:11:27 PM EST
    37% of Coloradans have voted as of today, according to tonight's local news (which I've begun watching again instead of cable national news.)

    Parent
    Don't expect results until after 8 PM PST (none / 0) (#33)
    by caseyOR on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:27:25 PM EST
    No results will be released until the polls close in the west. The MCM is pretty irresponsible, but ever since 1980 they have tried to hold the results until all the polls close.

    Huh? (none / 0) (#35)
    by andgarden on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:39:24 PM EST
    Returns always start coming in as soon as they're available. Usually the exit poll crosstabs are released as soon as all of the polls go in a given state. I'm going to be making projections as soon as I can multiply them out. That worked in all states except one (Missouri) in the Democratic primaries.

    Parent
    Not in the general, andgarden (none / 0) (#39)
    by caseyOR on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:05:47 AM EST
    The media does not release results until west coast polls close in the general election. In 2006, even the exit polls were quarantined until voting was done.

    Parent
    The results come in when they come in (none / 0) (#40)
    by andgarden on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 12:12:06 AM EST
    We may or may not get the exit polls, but we're going to get county results.

    And I don't expect them to actually hold the exit polls until 1AM eastern. That would just be insane.

    Parent

    The national news will hold everything (none / 0) (#110)
    by MoveThatBus on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:09:06 PM EST
    until the polls close in the Pacific time zone.  That's 11:00 PM ET.

    In 1980 the election was called for Reagan before the polls in the west closed, which caused a reduction in voters going to the polls. That is bad for the other offices and issues on the ballots.

    Parent

    The fatigue might help... (none / 0) (#34)
    by Thanin on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:32:01 PM EST
    if Obama gets in, in that when the republicans try to push the acorn driven, BS charge that the election results need to be redone, or whatever it is theyre going to do, people will just want it over and their will be a backlash against the republicans, again.

    I got my absentee ballot tonight! (none / 0) (#37)
    by jerry on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 11:58:16 PM EST
    So tomorrow my kids and I will vote.  (I fear their mom has turned them into little McCainiacs.)

    I voted this morning (7am) (none / 0) (#58)
    by connecticut yankee on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 07:57:07 AM EST
    and Ive donated more than I ever have.  I'm fatigued but not anxiety-free.

    Frankly, I'm half-convinced we are going to lose. heh.

    Everyone is tired. (none / 0) (#62)
    by OldCity on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:40:30 AM EST
    ve no doubt that Obama, should he win, will face his strongest challenges from within his own party.

    And so, my fellow Democrats, and you "Progressives" too, try to at least hold it in until after the election.  And, you know, after the election, please attempt, somehow, to not gripe about the new President's inability to create single payor healthcare overnight or resolve our energy dependency issues toot sweet or place the US on the side of the better angels.

    He's going to have to evaluate everything and prioritize and it's going to creep.  Remember Clnton's first 100 days, if you need a primer.

    Thoroughly Fatigued, (none / 0) (#65)
    by indy in sc on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:55:10 AM EST
    but trying to fight it off.  It became even worse after I voted yesterday.  It seems like once you vote, you should no longer have to be subjected to the day's back and forth between the candidates.  If I never hear another stump speech from Obama or Biden or McCain or Palin--I'll be good--great in fact.

    That said, I'm trying to hold off the fatigue long enough to do what I can to make sure this doesn't slip away to the Repubs in the last remaining days.  They are a determined (and underhanded) bunch.

    What kinds of things (none / 0) (#70)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:08:55 AM EST
    do you plan on doing during these last few days?

    I have not volunteered for this campaign.  I've done a lot of talking to people I know, but after the primary, I knew that my vote was probably the only thing I'd be able to give to this campaign.

    In recent weeks, I've started to feel a bit differently, and even feel like I'm beginning to become a part of the Obama community, though at the edges.  I know the last few days are critically important (even if it looks like this is a pretty sure win) and I think I would like to do something (other than have an Obama pumpkin on my front steps).  

    Are the yard signs still impossible to get?  I hardly see any around here.  My son wants to put two of them on the lawn, to counter the McCain sign next door.  Maybe I could bring some food to the nearest campaign office.

    Parent

    I've been surprised (5.00 / 1) (#75)
    by indy in sc on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:31:31 AM EST
    at the lack of yard signs here in SC.  I was not expecting very many Obama/Biden, but I thought there would be a lot of McCain/Palin and I've seen very few.

    I'm making calls to swing states.  It's pretty easy to get a list of persons on the Obama website.  In fact I sometimes wonder about the wisdom of that since they can't be sure that the people who volunteer to call will be the best ambassadors for the campaign.  Anyway, they give you a script to help lead the way.  You're basically just canvassing for information that will help the GOTV effort so the campaign knows who to follow up with on election day and who to skip.  You're not advocating one way or the other with the folks on the phone.

    I'm sure the local campaign office would very much appreciate a food donation.  I would call them first to coordinate what would be helpful and when you should bring it.  I imagine they can never have enough soda!!  Some pizza or cookies would probably be good too.

    I will also be doing poll watching in NC on election day.

    Parent

    Same sign dynamic here in my subdivision (none / 0) (#83)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:46:38 AM EST
    2004 had my neighborhood loaded with singular Bush/Cheney signs and then two of my neighbors went all out for Kerry/Edwards and they had their yards completely decorated.  Very few McCain/Palin signs up compared to 2004 and I have counted two tastefully understated Obama/Biden signs in brand new Democratic supporting yards.  The roadsides that are considered public property were littered with signs, not so this year, everyone is sort of somber.

    Parent
    The calls I'm getting got me suspicious (none / 0) (#88)
    by Cream City on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:53:19 AM EST
    so I'm calling my election board today to check.  I finally got one of the callers, who asked again if we wanted a ride to the polls, to tell me what address they had for us -- since we are only three houses away from our polling place.  Turns out this GOTV effort has an address for us in our city but nowhere near anywhere we ever have lived . . . although in what is Obama's stronghold here.

    So I checked our voter registrations again, and they're correct -- but now I will check and see if someone is using our names at another address, as several people already have been indicted in our city and some already convicted for registration fraud.

    Turns out the GOTV calls might have come in useful, after all.  And especially because, since I pushed and pushed and got the head of the effort on the phone to get the info, we seem to have been taken off the list with no more calls.  That leaves the line free for me to make my call.

    Parent

    I'm sick of it (none / 0) (#66)
    by TheRealFrank on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:58:50 AM EST
    But, sadly, I think it may be a longer election night than expected.


    I hate to bring this up (none / 0) (#67)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 08:59:13 AM EST
    but right now, Sarah Palin's speech is being aired live on MSNBC, from Toledo, Ohio.  She's speaking about energy security.  She seems much different than her usual self.  She is not as animated as usual, and her voice is more shaky, almost cracking at times.  Her facial expression is fine, but otherwise she seems very down.

    Lastly, she is wearing a white pin in the shape of a polar bear.  What?

    Perhaps she is just tired, or not feeling well.  Maybe something happened personally to cause stress.  Or maybe she has just had it with all of this mess.  I think she has election fatigue, for sure.  I often wonder if she regrets ever getting involved in this whole thing.  I can't decide whether I think she regrets it or not.

    It's interesting, because even as she seems shaky, she seems more credible on the topic and doesn't appear to be reading a teleprompter (she probably is, but it doesn't appear that way).

    Whatever else we think and/or say about Palin, she definitely is an interesting study.  

    P.S. Now, as I continue to watch, she is recovering a bit and seems more of her normal self.  Who knows?

    Don't know about the rest of your remarks, (none / 0) (#68)
    by DFLer on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:02:14 AM EST
    but I've seen that polar bear pin many times.

    Parent
    Ah, I hadn't noticed it before (none / 0) (#71)
    by joanneleon on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:12:24 AM EST
    Isn't that the height of hypocrisy?

    Parent
    I guess it's an Alaskan icon? (none / 0) (#109)
    by DFLer on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 06:37:14 PM EST
    Well, she's not preventing them from going extinct (none / 0) (#111)
    by sallywally on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:11:51 PM EST
    and because of that my yard signs and bumper stickers say "Polar Bears for Obama."

    I really despise this woman! She is incredibly dangerous. She has started her own campaign for Pres and has thrown McCain under the bus. Very dishonorable, IMO. Complete shamelessness.

    Parent

    Electioned-out since 2007.... (none / 0) (#69)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:05:26 AM EST
    when you are convinced the issues near and dear to your heart have nary a snowball's chance in hell of being addressed, the election becomes, as Saint Carlin wisely said, a "pointless excercise".  

    Or as Saint Bukowski wisely said "The difference between a democracy and a dictatorship is that in a democracy you vote first and take orders later; in a dictatorship you don't have to waste your time voting."

    buk (none / 0) (#73)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:29:24 AM EST
    didn't realize you were a fan.  In my 20's couldn't get enough of him......

    Parent
    More than a fan.... (none / 0) (#78)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:41:38 AM EST
    more like a disciple:)

    Speaks to me like no poet before or since.

    Parent

    haven't read him (none / 0) (#82)
    by Jlvngstn on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:45:38 AM EST
    in over ten years but still have 10 or 12 of his books on a shelf somewhere.  For a while I didn't read anything else, could not get enough.  The Bruce Springstein of poetry for the common man.  My wife thinks he is vile but I don't think he wrote with her in mind as the target audience!  I knew there was a reason I liked you....

    Parent
    I find there is no middle ground... (none / 0) (#100)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:35:18 AM EST
    with Chinaski...either you adore him or can't stand his vile arse:)

    Parent
    so it's your (none / 0) (#90)
    by OldCity on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 09:55:36 AM EST
    issues that matter and not the issues that affect everyone?

    You may not have meant it that way, but such a statement is awfully self-centered.  Beyond your issues, is the manner in which you'd like them addressed practical or politically possible?  Could the President actually get what you want done, done?  And what would he give up for that?

    As I recall my political history, Progressives want the best for the most, insfar as the political landscape allows.  So, while large scale changes are desirable, incremental improvements are acceptable.  Failure to vote diminishes the chance than anything you want will get done.  

    Parent

    It's my issues... (5.00 / 2) (#95)
    by kdog on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:14:18 AM EST
    that matter to me, of course.  We all have the things we view as most important, and hopefully vote accordingly.

    My big 3 are the foreign occupations, the drug war/criminal justice/prison population trifecta, and the national debt/fiscal unsoundness.  (Only the drug war and our love affair with prisons effect me personally) The Dems and Repubs are comparably crappy on all 3, so in my eyes this election is basically about the superficial.

    Adressing these issues may not be possible "politically", but that's a problem unto itself.  The discourse is in shambles.

    Parent

    Reasonable things (none / 0) (#99)
    by OldCity on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:31:52 AM EST
    but ultimately, there's no way you're gonna see the drug policies radically changed.  

    America has a love affair with the punitive.  I'm certain that the draconian penalties we place on drug crimes do very little to staunch demand for those substances.  The fact that local, state and federal govt's all seem to be in agreement that prison overcrowding is a direct result of drug policy, yet do little to make changes is a significant source of mystification for me.  The fact that the dollars not spent on prisons could find alternative use in drug rehabilitation programs, drug offender re-integration programs, etc seems to be consistenty tossed to the wayside.  

    Parent

    kdog's original point (none / 0) (#102)
    by sj on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:51:35 AM EST
    but ultimately, there's no way you're gonna see the drug policies radically changed.


    Parent
    That's why we vote (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by sj on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:48:47 AM EST
    What makes you assume that kdog's issues DON'T affect everyone?

    Parent
    Definitely fatigued (none / 0) (#96)
    by CST on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:15:46 AM EST
    And incredibly jealous of all those who got to vote early, which isn't available to me here in MA.

    So I can't relax yet, and I'm just really hoping for a 60 seat landslide, with Question 1 going down in flames so they don't try to pull that one again.

    I've had two periods of (none / 0) (#104)
    by brodie on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:08:42 AM EST
    election fatigue this cycle -- first in March probably, as it became clear with the hard math that my candidate had lost her chance of getting the nom; the final 2-3 months was mostly a matter of cutting into Obama's margin of victory.  

    The second was about a month ago as Obama began to settle in with a nifty lead and as the economy, already shaky for a long time, began to seriously tank in the financial markets.  McCain was never going to win against a solid Dem (O or HRC) in this major change year, and he hurt himself even more by running a stupid, erratic and Hooveresque campaign.  In an honest electoral system, which we don't have of course, I would have confidently called this one for the Dem weeks ago.

    The only serious question now is to what extent Repubs will be able to successfully rig the voting in some key states.  Probably not enough to matter as to the final outcome being for Obama, I'd guess, but enough possibly to illicitly swing the final EC count in a state or two to diminish his rightful sizable mandate.

    Yes, and help cast doubt on the vote. (none / 0) (#112)
    by sallywally on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 10:13:51 PM EST
    For litigation afterward, imo.

    Parent
    Wow I must have slept for a long time last night (none / 0) (#106)
    by Fitz on Wed Oct 29, 2008 at 11:33:45 AM EST
    I know it's Wed. but I thought it was Oct. 29, not Nov. 5. Way early for victory laps.