I know we Kossacks are having an interesting debate early into this 2016 campaign season. I know we are all (regardless of which Democratic candidates we support) are both horrified and amused by the circus on Republican side.
And yes, there are serious issues surrounding the popcorn level of fun on both sides: The economy, Iran, immigration, trade deals, LGBT rights, racism, etc. These are important, and it's nice to see the vast majority of my friends here working hard to keep the debate passionate but civil.
I for one haven't selected a candidate yet (honestly I like our Democrats all for different reasons) but I do want to point out that the stars just may be - may be - aligning for a true blowout election in our favor. And that hasn't happened since 1964.
What do I mean by a "true blowout"? When the losing candidate amasses less than 100 electoral votes. Well, there have only been four in my lifetime - and just one went to a Democrat: When Lyndon Johnson beat Barry Goldwater (and I was only 9 months old for that one, so don't ask me about it). The other three went to the GOP - Richard Nixon (in 1972) and Ronald Reagan (in both 1980 and 1984).
As a true believer in progressive values and what our party stands for, I have been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. And I think we could be on the precipice of another Democratic blowout - regardless of who our nominee is.
First, there is Donald Trump. The Hairpiece is in a great spot: He is currently the heart and soul of the crazy, loony chauvinistic and racist ideas that fuel the most hardcore of the Republican hardcore. He is self-funded with an insane amount of money to keep up his campaign. He is in first place with 15 other candidates (at last count) competing as clones of one another - to some degree. And he is authentic - crazy true, but authentic nonetheless. So he really could grab the nomination - more so than any other whackadoodle righty has had the potential to do for a long time.
Second, there is the GOP in general and the potential for a very, very broad Democratic coalition. Even before Trump got into the race, the Republican party has spent years alienating Latino voters (who's strength in this coming election will be their largest ever), women, and moderates (so therefore independents). And their other hot buttons of yore - gay marriage, patriotism, etc. - are just not relevant with as many voters.
So, I want you to imagine a Presidential election where the Democrats carry almost all of it. Not just the blue territory with Obama-like gains (IN, VA, NC) but even GA, AL, MS, TX, the Dakotas, KS, NE. How about an election night map with only Idaho, Utah and Wyoming in the red? It's possible.
The coalition is not unprecedented - although it would be new. Think the Obama coalition, but aided by Latin-American voters in unprecedented numbers, independent and even Republican women (honestly, Hillary as the nominee moves the needle more there for obvious reasons). That alone would probably be enough, but now add a demoralized Republican turnout - if it's Trump (who will be behind for the entirety of the campaign). There's even the possibility of a main-stream Republican turned independent if he gets the nomination.
Now dare to dream of this: Wholesale and overwhelming flip of the Senate and even the House of Representatives. It's more possible with this election than ever before. And any of our candidates could do this - even Lincoln Chaffee!!
So route for your candidates of choice. Keep it civil and keep the faith. A lot of this possibility has to do with the other side (where we have no impact), but the less hobbled the Democratic nominee is, the stronger he or she will be, and the better for our potential landslide. And get ready - because next year could be lots and lots of fun, and more importantly could be the best opportunity to make this country better than we have had in half a century! I may be having a quadrennial, idealistic dream again - but what if I'm right?!