Maybe wishful thinking but I honestly feel that the Dems will win come

[akbacchus_BC]

November! Saw Palin on CNN saying that the US has the best health care system in the world and the Dems is trying to take it away! Is that woman stupid? Do they really believe what they preach?

[Skittles]

1. I am hoping, really hoping for the best

I just find it hard to believe so many people could vote repuke knowing they caused all these problems

[Ruffhowse]

2. anti-Tea Party backlash

With all the extreme right wing Tea Party positions being given some coverage in the media, I am hoping for an anti-Tea Party backlash come election day, where all the disgruntled Dems come out to vote, not so much because they like Obama and his administration, but because they have something to vote AGAINST. I think this is something the pollsters are not factoring into their equations of who likely voters are. I think the pollsters have underestimated the effect of the anti-Tea Party backlash, and are off on their polling by as much as 5 to 6 percent.

[DemocratAholic]

3. creating momentum

I think we have a great chance if Democrats can create momentum. The problem is that a lot of Dems don't feel the urgency, or are disappointed that we have not been "successful" enough while in power. The Republicans and tea partiers are feeling the same urgency that we felt the last election. There is a huge problem in USA in that most people are totally ignorant when it comes to politics, and will vote for WHOEVER seems to have momentum. They want to be part of the winning team. That is why it is hugely important for Dems to be vocal, because it is not just about swaying people on the issues. It's a game, and Republicans are experts at playing that game. They don't care about issues, they only care about winning. We have to be cognizant of the fact that we are not only appealing to voters on the issues, but on an illusion. I'm not saying we should lack integrity like Republicans, but we do need to find ways to appeal to people who are basically ignorant. I have seen this in so many elections, people voting for candidates who are opposed to their own self interests. Why do they do that? They vote based on whatever illusions seem to have the most momentum.

[Swamp Rat]

4. Welcome to DU

:hi:

:kick:

[trusty elf]

7. Hey Swamp Rat!

:hi:

[w8liftinglady]

9. LOL!!!Swamp Rat...another great one!

[NEOhiodemocrat]

5. Welcome to DU!

I have noticed that some voters seem to look on elections like a football game, "our side won", I don't know how to combat such thinking. Sometimes it is pretty depressing.

[w8liftinglady]

10. welcome to DU!Great post.In Texas,I am really optimistic...

[DemocratAholic]

12. issues that matter to people who are ignorant about poltics

I have a friend who is totally ignorant about politics. You would THINK she would vote Democratic because it is in her own self-interest. I have come to find out she has a tea bagger friend who is constantly talking to her about politics, sending her emails full of very provocative lies about Democrats. Well, my friend never watches the news, never pays attention to anything about politics, and she winds up believing this BS because...she thinks her tea bag friend is telling her the truth. Normally I do not discuss politics with her, because I know she isn't interested. I know of one issue she is quite interested in...health care, because she has a daughter who just graduated college and was about to be removed from her health insurance. I used that as a way to engage her in a conversation to make it about something she was interested in, so she can see how politics DOES affect her life in very profound ways. Then I turned it into a more general conversation about the fact that Democrats are the ones who care about people like her.

Do not underestimate these tea baggers. They are on full tilt, sending emails, telling anyone who will listen as many provocative lies as they can think of to scare people into voting their way. The people they are talking to have no interest in politics or news, so they believe it. That is what we are up against here.

We need to have the same sense of urgency as the Republicans, just to counter all the lies they are putting out there. Remember, the people who decide elections...the "independents," independent is just another word for someone who is ignorant. They will vote for whoever scares them the most.

We need to reach out to everyone who is close to us, and find ways to engage them in ways that will sway them. That is what has been missing from Democrats leading up to this election, and time is running out. Don't assume just because something is obvious to YOU, that is is obvious to the voters who can turn elections one way or the other. They see Sarah Palin on "Dancing with the Stars," so they think she is wonderful! That's where they get their political information.

[ejpoeta]

6. i think the republicans made it harder for themselves by nominating some real

nutjobs. to hear the msm tell it, the tea party is going to cause their candidates to take over and it's going to be a bloodbath. part of me thinks the dems deserve it for being spineless and giving in and not just doing what they needed to do as far as the stimulus and healthcare. but that would hurt us all. i hope to god the msm's attempts to create the outcome by saying it knock them on their ass.

[Nite Owl]

8. The whole TeaParty group

is loud but not really that large. The regular republicans didn't turn out for the primaries and are now stuck with extreme nuttiness to represent them. I am hoping that this gives the GOP a huge 'enthusiasm gap' of their own come election day. Just hoping that the msm is not reporting this and we get a surprise. I'm in NY so may be rather insulated as the Tea Party candidates here are not doing well at all.

[pintobean]

11. Win what? Seats?

I don't think so. Even if we keep control of both houses, we'll lose the ability to get anything done.