I know there is a history of snatching defeat out the jaws of victory here. After a few elections of feeling good and predicting victory, only to see the victory fade away, a number of us were gun shy in 2006. As it turned out, we needn't have worried. I've decided not to worry about 2008, either. I think we're going to win. I think we're going to win regardless of what candidate the Republicans put up and regardless of who we run.
I predict (as opposed to hope) that our candidate will be Hillary Clinton. I very much do hope that if that is the case, she selects Obama as her running mate (it would fit the storyline perfectly). In lieu of Obama, I would also be enthusiastic about an all female team.
And then it will not matter who runs on the Republican side. They will lose. I do not fear Romney, or Thompson, or Giuliani, or McCain, and I hope our candidate does not either. That's not the same as not taking them seriously, but I don't fear them.
So with this newfound serenity, what is there to do? For one thing, while we should take advantage of political opportunities when they arise, we ought to recognize that it will be extremely difficult to eke out more than symbolic victories with the current composition of Congress and the presidency. I agree that there are many problems that can't "wait 2 years" and yet, sadly, I suspect they will have to wait anyway because we have no magic wands. What I would like to see now is preparation. What will we get done with a Democratic congress and Democratic president? What is on the priority list? What intraparty arguments and head bashing and arm twisting should we get out of the way NOW so that when we are actually in a position to do something, we're united in purpose and accomplish our goals quickly, even if it is done in compromise? I'm impatient--I'm ready for the nightmare to be over, but darn it if I'm not feeling pretty good today.