"I think we can actually hold the House. If we execute on the tax vote. Accomplish something on DADT. Maybe a token effort on immigration. And if O goes out and is the O that O can be in October, the base can be mobilized and we can actually hols the house."
"Hehe, my silly little brother. Yeah, hold the House. Hehe."
This was the interaction between my brother and I three weeks ago. I really did believe at that point. Other then O stepping up the being O the campaigned his ass off and changed the world, we know what happenned to other opportunities to generate some indignant enthusiasm.
No, I don't think chances are looking very good. But I have not completely given up hope either. But after my brief interaction with the Republican candidate for Congress in my disctrict this weekend, I am not heartened.
I live in Princeton NJ and am very fortunate to be represented by Rush Holt. A great democrat and great person. In my neck of this district "my Congressman IS a rocket scientist bumperstickers" famously adorn most of the Volvo's and high-end SUV's and mini-vans. Apparently our Congressman really is a rocket scientist by trade. He has won several times now and really not faced a serious challenge.
Anyway, walking down the street in Princeton this weekend I came upon Rush's opponent and large band of supporters set up on Nassau St. Political junkie that I am I stopped to chat briefly.
"Do you really think you have a chance?" I asked pleasantly.
They responded with cheerful enthusiasm and banal "there's change in the air" pablum.
"I don't know, this is a pretty blue district", I confidently responded.
"Princeton is blue, but not the district. Chris Christie won the district".
Chris Christie is as conservative a governor who has ever won NJ. This put me back on my heels a little bit. Suddenly I realized that even a popoular, successful, multi-term Democrat in the heart of BlueJersey at least had a chance of getting thrown out in this impending mid-term debacle.
But what really struck me were Rush Holt's opponent's supporters. Yes they were Republicans. And yes they were enthusiastic. But unlike those that we appropriately mock and rail against all day long on DK and other progressive spaces.... the easily dismissed Palin's and Limbaugh's and Beck and Angle's and Paul's and O'Donnel's....these enthusiastic individuals were sincere, semmingly rational, or at least ordinary, decent Americans. And they were out in the streets of a blue town smiling and talking to voters.
And to a large degree - WE ARE NOT.
Bottom-line: we need to be working A LOT harder to ward off this impending disaster. Not all of our Republican opponents are easily dismissed and Tea Bagging extremists. And regardless, it's the fucking economy stupid. And our opponents base has "socialism" and brown people to rile them up and motivate them in addition to not being able to afford to eat at Friday's anymore.
We have a lot of work to do. We can't just mock O'Donnel along with Bill Maher. We need to all write a few checks. TODAY.
And next weekend, regardless of the hue of our district, we should spend the afternoon out in the streets. Smiling and talking about the stark difference between up and the Republicans. Enthuiastically explaining when and why the recession started and what actions have and have not happenned in the last 21 months to turn it around. And what is really at stake if leadership positions in the House go to the most radical Rupublicans ever to seek those positions.