Can we Democrats handle winning?

[regnaD kciN]

I ask this because, after weeks of obsessing over every dip in every poll, it looks like we have a number of viable routes to 270 EV, with time running out for Romney. So, after a brief period of elation, what do I find people talking about here and on similar sites?

-- That it's possible that nationwide polls will turn out to be more accurate than state ones after all, meaning that current conditions may presage a Romney victory. (Nate Silver)

-- That polling, in general, may be totally inaccurate this year due to low response rates, meaning that any projections may be worthless. (TruthOut)

-- That "patches" to the Ohio tabulating software are proof-positive that the fix is in, and that 11/6 will present us with another presidential election stolen by Republicans. (everywhere)

Now, I'm not saying we don't need to exercise caution, GOTV, and take protective measures, but, seriously, can't we ever feel good about our chances? It seems as if our response to obvious obstacles being cleared away is to find or create new, non-obvious obstacles to take their place. Is it possible, for once, that things won't work out in the worst possible way? Or have we become so accustomed to electoral disasters that we'll always resemble Red Sox fans before 2004?

[cdb]

1. We handled it last time

With tears screams and piss stains in our undies. Joy is easier than defeat.

[DrToast]

2. Well, Nate Silver isn't a Democrat apparently

So there's that.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

3. It's a very complicated issue

I was having dinner with three like minded friends Friday night. Three of us follow politics closely while the fourth is in her mid 20s and is just now coming into politics but leans left.

We all talked about how nice things were looking for Obama. Then somebody brought up Ohio and election fraud.

We then had to explain to the neophyte the concepts of vote flipping. The end result was a discouraged and confused young voter.

I'll take the blame for the confused part because none of us possess knowledge of the subject beyond broad strokes.

But the discouraged part made me wish it never came up.

I guess the point is that it's important to be brought up but also that it can be overwhelming for some particularly younger voters.

[Neon2012]

4. I won't relax until afterward...

...so that would be a no. If we're winning I can't handle it until I know it as fact.

[tech3149]

5. I think we can handle it, but we don't do it very well

I think we need to do more long term thinking and planning. 2008 was a prime example, we won the big office but didn't gen enough down ballot races. We were killed in state races and that set the stage for 2010. Now we have all these tea party nut jobs in local, state, and federal positions that can't even tie their shoes without help
My theory is start at the bottom, much as the republicons have done. Don't vote someone into any office that can't understand the function of representative government and the functions that government needs to provide. Never let them off the hook if they don't give an understandable answer to your question. In fact point it out. Most people aren't stupid but are easily distracted. If some pols answer doesn't make sense call them out on it. Most people have the intelligence to tell logical thought from BS. They might not get it on the first pass since we are the basis of short attention span theater. Don't vote straight party ticket! Do your effing research and find out what they really think and who's putting them on the ballot. If you don't have a local political club or they're no more than a social club, give them a kick in the ass to get them back to the original goals.
I am crippled by age, family issues, and transportation issues but there isn't a person I talk to that I talk to that I haven't been able to inform or influence in their political beliefs. Some are so biased by ideological beliefs to be persuaded but that is a small percentage of the electorate.
Just get your ass and all you can out there to vote.
Oh and BTW, follow Jennifer Granholm's advice "Don't just vote, vote smart"