One of the most impactful diaries today is all about managing expectations before Tuesday. More precisely, it is about how we must not raise our hopes too high, or even high for that matter, lest we find them dashed on the harsh rocks of the Allegheny. The diary claims that Obama supporters are once again getting their expectations "out of whack". We must thus subject ourselves to a "reality check". Well, I prefer to hope that we'll push this thing close. I strongly believe that there's never been anything false about hope in this campaign. That's why I wake up and I make every effort that I can to make it close in PA. All this expectation game play can dampen morale, people. I'm not sure I want more of it.
You've read it enough times here this weekend. Don't raise your hopes too high! Clinton will win by two digits! Don't get your predictions out of whack. ETC, ETC.
Well, I've had just about enough of it.
We've been through that rhetoric of reality checks before. And I'm not so sure that it helps within the fold. As someone has said elsewhere, let the campaigns manage expectations. Let them handle the spin. Obama supporters are not kids, and given the work that they've done in Pennyslvania, there is no reason to keep telling them not to keep their hopes high. Perhaps someone thinks that it gets folks to make a harder push, but frankly, I think it takes the wind out of your sail when you've been on the sidewalks seven hours knocking on hundreds of doors. It leaves something sour in your throat if you've driven eight hours or more from Maine or elsewhere to GOTV in PA only for someone to tell you, forget about it, won't make a difference.
True: This is a moment of great anxiety for all Obama supporters.
True: From the outside Pennsylvania has appeared not to have budged much, inspite of almost everything.
True: We've had other instances when hopes were raised and then not exactly met.
But, this campaign is actually about HOPE, lest we forget, and it takes hope in order to give everything that it takes. It takes hope to make that additional call; hope to knock yet again on that door that you already knocked on before. Hope that, inspite of all appearances, anything is possible.
I'm a little tired of calls for reality check that merely check real morale. I don't know about you, but I'm hoping for a squeeker in Pennsylvania. It may not happen; such is life, but I'm going to keep hoping, and keep calling, and keep working till the very last minute.
Check your reality check at the door, along with your coat. I'm strong enough to take the figures come Wednesday morning. I don't mind calling this one wrong. For now, I prefer to keep my hope high.
UPDATE: Readers have noted that the poll under does not include "low two digits" (15% and under). My bad on that one. If your prediction falls in that bracket, please leave a comment and state so. Thanks.