2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumEugene Robinson: Dear Democrats, Stop Freaking Out
Well, Mr. Robinson, the 'media' doesn't seem to be helping.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dear-democrats-stop-freaking-out/2016/09/15/fa68c022-7b74-11e6-beac-57a4a412e93a_story.html?postshare=531473982552056&tid=ss_tw&utm_term=.6b1b15395cef
Dear Democrats, Stop Freaking Out
By Eugene Robinson Opinion writer September 15 at 7:11 PM
If Democrats want to beat Donald Trump, they need to get past the freakout stage and get to work.
In a sane and just world, this presidential race would be a walkover. Commentators would already be sketching out their postmortem analyses of an all-but-certain Hillary Clinton victory. Pare the contest down to its essentials: A former senator and secretary of state, eminently qualified to be president, is running against a dangerous demagogue who has never held public office and should not be allowed anywhere near the White House. Ought to be case closed.
But its not. Clintons big lead in national polls following the party conventions, which approached double digits, has shrunk to about two points far too close for comfort. Trump has gained ground in swing-state polls as well. If the election were held tomorrow, Clinton would probably win. But Nov. 8 is many weeks away, and the recent trend line is hardly in her favor.
Why has the race tightened? Ive heard a lot of theories, but Im not sure I really buy any of them.
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Voters have been informed of Trumps ignorant and outrageous statements, his real and potential conflicts of interest, his bankruptcies, his hucksterism, his untempered temperament and all the other factors that make him unthinkable as a president. Coverage by the news media brought all this information to light. Dont blame the media for the fact that many people say they plan to vote for him anyway.
Instead, if you want to stop Trump, focus on the fundamentals and get busy.
Ordinarily, this would be a tough election for any Democratic candidate to win. That is because, historically, a party that controls the White House for two terms in a row has difficulty winning a third. In addition to that headwind, nearly 70 percent of Americans say they believe the country is on the wrong track an ominous sign for the incumbent party.
Trump, with his soaring unpopularity and general flakiness, is no normal candidate. Many voters including many Republicans obviously believe that while it may be the GOPs turn to take the helm, it will never be Trumps turn. Still, there are those who have real doubts about Trump but may still vote for him because they want change.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)With that said, I would vote for a ding dong like Joe Ganim just to tell the GOP to fuck off for giving the world this piece of dog shit.
anamandujano
(7,004 posts)the poll takers can skew polls.
babylonsister
(171,090 posts)He's insulted too many people too many times.
PeteSelman
(1,508 posts)They were calling the polls skewed and phoney when we were ahead.
Guess what? Trump is surging and it's for real. We're in serious trouble if this doesn't get turned around pronto.
Believe it. This country really is this stupid.
uponit7771
(90,363 posts)... still black folk I talk to who do NOT understand tRump is a white supremacist
babylonsister
(171,090 posts)who just don't care. They're caught up in their lives and find this all boring, I'm thinking. But the commercials! How can you not see them? I'm in FL and there are a lot.
uponit7771
(90,363 posts).. gold to the DNC
60% of my neighbors are literally from CA !!!
The migration here from the coastal states has been gobsmacking
The city I live in now is no doubt blue !!!
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)Beartracks
(12,821 posts)... probably hold that opinion because of Republican obstructionism and demagoguery, not because of the "incumbent party" currently in the White House -- don'tcha think??
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HRC_16AZ
(4 posts)But then I remember what the polls were like back in 2012 during this same month. At the time, Romney seemed to be beating Obama, which scared me. Of course, we all know how that election played out. I'm sure that the polls will get better for Hillary from now on, especially after the debates. Just keeping my fingers crossed..