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Election Fatigue Setting In

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Tue Oct 28, 2008 at 10:27:06 PM EST
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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?

< AZ Poll: Obama Within 2 of McCain | The Polls - 10/29 >

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    Election Fatigue Setting In | 112 comments (112 topical)

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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


    Parent
    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


    Parent
    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