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lees1975

(6,234 posts)
43. Understandable. The stakes in this election are as high as ever. Trump has had four years to define himself.
Sat Oct 19, 2024, 11:52 AM
Oct 2024

2016 was a shock. But there were some issues then that we don't have now. There was too much confidence from the Clinton campaign in the "Blue wall," and clearly not enough effort made by the Clinton campaign to shore it up when a week's worth of campaign appearances across those three states would clearly have been enough to eke out wins. We're not making that mistake, the Harris campaign has the money and they are using a multi-faceted strategy to reach voters on the margins. Evidence? She's now leading among independent voters and her lead is trending her direction.

If you want some re-assurance, go to the website for WCPT Radio 820 in Chicago, and listen to yesterday's Joan Esposito show https://omny.fm/shows/joan-esposito-live-local-progressive/joan-esposito-live-local-and-progressive-w-guest-h. She had a guest host, a political analyst who made some observations about the campaign much clearer, including pointing out clues about what the internal data is showing, the strategies used, how effective they are and what Harris' money advantage is doing for her, compared to the scatter shooting, "do what we want" approach that Trump's PAC supporters take. This included a reminder that Harris has a large pack of billionaire donors on her side. Citizens United is terrible, but if those are the rules you want to play by, the other side can use it to their advantage, too. And we are.

Trump's second attempt at an election, his re-election, was a failure. And his run through the GOP primaries this time around, having already been in the White House once, can also be considered a failure. He had opponents, and with all of the face time he's had in the media, and all of the attention focused on him as the potential nominee from the day he left Washington, he got around 72% of the primary voters' support. Considering the absolute nobodies who ran against him, and the money he spent, that's a sub-standard performance.

So of course the fear of 2016 is there, as is the "fear" generated by what the media emphasizes was a narrow victory for Biden in 2020, electoral college-wise. Trump has always been a huge threat, and he did a lot of damage when he was President. But a lot of people saw that, and I think that led to Biden getting the win in 2020. Harris has not only made that a campaign issue, but she has rounded up and organized the conservative Republican opposition. And many of those people have a lot of influence, and some of them still have their credibility.

There is evidence, from credible sources, that Trump is weaponizing polling data, not only to boost his ego, but as a strategy to try and spread discouragement and fear, prompt pressure on the campaign from those who feel the fear, and maybe even cause resources and time to be allocated differently and less effectively. It has also become increasingly difficult to distinguish between solid journalists and journalism, and Trump infused propagandists and propaganda.

So your fear is justified.

But be confident. There's a lot of strong evidence to indicate that Harris is going to win the election, the Democrats are more than prepared for an onslaught of election-related legal challenges, some of which have already achieved rulings clearly in our favor, and there are an equal number of eyes on our side watching out for any potential messing with votes and election outcomes.

And I believe a majority of Americans know what's at stake, and are not blinded by prejudice, religious bigotry or influenced by propaganda posing as the free press. I feel fearful of being too optimistic and then being hugely disappointed, but I also have some confidence that the positive direction Harris has given to her campaign, and the obvious contrast between her good character, as well as that of Tim Walz, with a convicted rapist, criminal, insurrectionist liar and J.D. Vance, an opportunist who has proven to be a duplicitous liar like Trump, is a highly visible factor. Because of that, Harris will become Madame President-Elect whenever the election results are finalized.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

No one is going to tell you how to feel - TBF Oct 2024 #1
I'm not looking for my feelings to be validated. I'm expressing that being scared does not make me a troll. Coventina Oct 2024 #2
OK, I didn't realize it was a particular thing that upset you. TBF Oct 2024 #5
Also I just looked up your last few posts TBF Oct 2024 #6
Thank you, yes. I do need to hit those "unsubscribe" buttons. Coventina Oct 2024 #8
Sounds like you're a normal human being.. Permanut Oct 2024 #3
I think you'd have to be crazy not to be scared. BlueTsunami2018 Oct 2024 #4
Considering how important the outcome is FullySupportDems Oct 2024 #7
That's very natural mvd Oct 2024 #9
Even this "short" election cycle still feels long BluRay76 Oct 2024 #10
Excellent post BluRay76. Solid points made. oasis Oct 2024 #18
Get 2016 out of your head LiberalFighter Oct 2024 #11
Being frightened doesn't preclude any of the activities you are suggesting. Scrivener7 Oct 2024 #28
I don't know where you reside. . . Stargleamer Oct 2024 #12
The OP told us she is already doing that. Scrivener7 Oct 2024 #29
The unknown scares us. And you are doing your part. usonian Oct 2024 #13
Fear is a liar. Duncan Grant Oct 2024 #14
I think PTSD from 2016 is a real thing. I feel panicked sometimes too. 2 Meow Momma Oct 2024 #15
I waffle, but usually my brain can't moonscape Oct 2024 #16
I had a similar experience with a friend, recently. yardwork Oct 2024 #33
This Short Video Might Make You Feel Less Scared... writes3000 Oct 2024 #17
I hear ya. I have had an anxiety spike here & there. I expect there'll be an increase as each last week ticks off. electric_blue68 Oct 2024 #19
Much of the Happy Thoughts Only approach is self-soothing for anxiety Sympthsical Oct 2024 #20
You are definitely my favorite DUer. yardwork Oct 2024 #34
I think it's fucking frightening that it would only take a minor media event progressoid Oct 2024 #21
Anybody who isn't scared is delusional or just lying. It's what we do with our fear, right? Maru Kitteh Oct 2024 #22
Being scared is something understandable that happens Elessar Zappa Oct 2024 #23
Republicans have a history of trying to steal elections DSandra Oct 2024 #24
I'm scared too XanaDUer2 Oct 2024 #25
No need to apologize dwayneb Oct 2024 #26
I'm there with you. nt LexVegas Oct 2024 #27
I'm scared too LostOne4Ever Oct 2024 #30
Not scared, cautiously optimistic PennRalphie Oct 2024 #31
Hi Coventina. I know you're not a troll and I understand your feelings. yardwork Oct 2024 #32
You don't have to apologize. murielm99 Oct 2024 #35
Don't worry, *work*! anamnua Oct 2024 #36
I'm scared too. mountain grammy Oct 2024 #37
Thanks for the update. BannonsLiver Oct 2024 #38
What are you doing to prepare for that possibility ? Kaleva Oct 2024 #39
This message was self-deleted by its author Demsrule86 Oct 2024 #40
This year is not like 2016. Demsrule86 Oct 2024 #41
It's understandable Quiet Em Oct 2024 #42
Understandable. The stakes in this election are as high as ever. Trump has had four years to define himself. lees1975 Oct 2024 #43
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