As an amateur observer of both politics and sports, I'm fond of invoking the latter to explain the former. One of my favorite axioms—particularly when it comes to baseball—goes like this: You've got to win or lose with your best. With the convention now complete, I can enthusiastically say that the Democratic party has achieved a similar stance.
I'm not really sure where I picked up the phrase, or if it's a corruption of something else heard over a long period of watching the MLB (I'm a Red Sox fan, but grew up in the WPIX broadcast area watching the Yankees, with commentators like Phil Rizzuto and future NL President Bill White, plus plenty of Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola on the NBC games). But it is a highly relevant frame for the game with its rapidly changing fortunes and situations. Do you take a tiring Cy Young winner off the mound in favor of a fresh, but unproven, reliever? Do you pinch hit for your clean up man facing an unfavorable lefty/lefty matchup? More often than not, those that bet against the true stars come up short, or at least are more frequently second guessed.
There will be no second guessing where the Democrats have taken their message, their attitude, and their lineup. Our best players will be on the field to close the deal. The stakes could not be put in more compelling terms. "Don't double down on trickle down", "Take 2 tax cuts and call me in the morning". Global warming is back on the table. Women's rights are back on the table. Even the ACA is a positive talking point, and seems to be trending up.
All Americans need to understand that things that truly matter in their lives are at stake. With the DNC convention's powerful display, all of our best is in play. And no one seems to be backing down now.
Game on GOP--the guy that took down bin Laden is taking you down next.