Here we are again, and if you're anything like me, your mood going into this election day is probably the worst it has been in at least a decade.
Whatever happens today, there will be crushing disappointments. We will lose good Democrats, crazy-ass teabaggers will get elected, and our prospects for further political progress will seem very dim. Despair would be the natural response.
But it could have been much worse, and tomorrow the sun will rise again, and the fight will continue.
First off, we know the incumbent party usually loses seats in the midterm. Almost always, in fact. So this was how things were going to go, in spite of our best efforts.
Second, the economy. At 9.6% official unemployment, and nearly double that number of not fully employed, heads are always going to roll. It says something rather incredible about how much people hate Republicans that we have a fighting chance in so many races.
Finally, the money. In some ways, this election will be a referendum on whether our Democracy can really be bought. The imbalance on behalf of Republicans caused by "independent" group expenditures should hand them this election on a silver platter.
This should be a bloodbath. The fact that there's even an outside chance of keeping the house is because of all the work we have done here (and great work elsewhere).
So don't despair. Commiserate, and redouble your efforts. Come back here tomorrow morning, retrospect about how we can do a better job swaying the electorate, and continue the fight.
Good luck today!