Every time something like the LA Times poll shivers my timbers (even just a little) I take refuge in a certain tally I like to run.
And it leads me to this question: When every part of the culture, high and low, comes out visibly and vocally against a candidate = party = agenda, how can he/it/they possibly "prevail" (to borrow their word)?
Everything hot is Democratic. Are you ready? A little traveling music, maestro, if you please.
Music:
Springsteen, Dixie Chicks & Co-- on tour against W.
Fashion:
Sean Combs/Tommy H.-- Vote or Die (with gorgeous t-shirts)
Art:
the extent of the art on display this week in NYC, according to the NYT blew me away. There's so much of it, all the way up and down the ladder of prominence.
Movies:
1) the wave of popular anti-Bush documentaries from Moore's big splash to Bush's brain, Control Room & yesterday's entry on Kerry's band of brothers, plus, The Manchurian Candidate;
2) the participation of Rob Reiner, John Sayles & other flash film directors in political ads for MoveOn.
3)DiCaprio, Affleck & others on Kerry's tour
TV:
1)Jon Stewart rules-- hottest thing on the tube-- fresh where cable is old old old
2) Tweety, Tucker & others begin to turn their coat and slither towards the border-- RNC tries to muscle them back in line. Will it work? who knows? But even a little slip in the sleaze is refreshing. All they've got left are the oldies (Novak, thy name is douchebag)
Radio:
1)In no time flat, Air America zooms to #2 in the ratings-- Even Clear Channel, jiggling coin, begins to do business here.
2) Howard Stern brings his 8 million to Kerry
Books:
take your pick.
Blogs:
Does the NYT & the Bush Campaign read Instapundit any more? Who quotes LIttle Green Footballs?
Whereas dK, Talking P, Washington Mo. Pandagon, Agonist, My DD are racking up hits almost as fast as the numbers on the national debt sign spin.
A few years ago, if you remember, it seemed as if all the new ideas, all the energy and momentum were coming from the right. And the progressive side of things seemed limp, paralyzed, depressed, and idea-less. It felt terrible. Frightening. Now, it's the Limbaughs and Novaks who seem old and out of it. Everything and everyone smart, fresh, attractive and committed is being birthed from our side of the aisle.
Where the culture leads so emphatically, IMO, the rest of the country is bound to follow... sooner or later. Soon enough for November? I don't think we can miss, because the energy is both rising from the bottom and descending from the top. W is in the juicer. (if they dont steal it-- always the same proviso)
Please add on any hopeful signs I may have overlooked... ok?
One other thing-- as long as I've got your attention-- I have always felt that the endlessly repeated maxim that the country is evenly divided is a myth. 52% didn't vote, correct.. more or less..? That means, it was only 48% that was evenly divided. IOW, the rad-cons and fundies can muster represent approx. 24% of the general population-- which feels about right to me, frankly.
So, let's take a poll