I've been meaning to talk about the upcoming election for a couple of weeks but have been drawing a blank. Every time I start it seems a lot of what I want to say has been better said by other people. However, I also know that it's a topic I have to bring up since it affects pretty much everyone, either here in the U.S. or beyond its borders.
First, if you haven't already voted I encourage you to do so. I know that for a number of readers the choice isn't all that inspiring and it may take time to wait in line just to cast your ballot even if you have the option of voting early. However, given the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and his minions have given numerous hints that they either don't plan to recognize the result if they lose or don't plan to commit to a peaceful transition of power, it appears one of the main ways to fight many shenanigans from electoral vote winner Donny and company from trying to once again steal the election and get another term (one that seems to have ambiguous endings given the Mad Fuhrer's urging his fans to chant 12 more years at his COVID superspreader rallies) is for people to either vote early by mail or vote in person early (if you live in a place where that's possible). If all else isn't possible there's gong to the polls on election day and casting your vote.
With that out of the way I just want to say a few things. Much of this has been said before but I want to get this out in the open.
First, DO NOT BE TEMPTED OR LULLED INTO COMPLACENCY BY THE POLLS.
I know the polls seem to consistently show Biden in the lead over the Mad Fuhrer but we need to point out that four years ago people Hillary Clinton was favored to win over Donny and we know how that turned out. Reportedly the polling companies under-counted the "white uneducated voter" demographic (sometimes also known as the "non college educated white "voter). While the polling firms claim to have fixed that problem, those on the Democratic side of politics shouldn't take that for granted. The reports I've heard that some activists (and even some campaigns) are running like they're several points behind in the polls until November 3rd even if they are in fact ahead in the polls in one reaction. While that is a logical response (ans as one person I know working on campaigns told me - the only poll that matters is on election day). This is a logical response and probably good strategy but even with that one must remember that these are not normal times.
Which leads to complacency vis a vis Biden's lead in the polls. This means there's a possibility that some people will look at the polls and, thinking it's a done deal, decide not to vote. Maybe it's because they're dissatisfied with the choices or maybe it's because they think their vote won't matter. While I hate to say this, people need to get that thought out of their heads. Thinking like that four years ago was one of multiple things creating the election results. While this may be less of a problem this time around it's important to keep that tendency to be complacent out of our minds and exercise one's right to vote.
Also, EARLY VOTING APPEARS GOOD BUT TIME WILL TELL WHAT COMES FROM IT
One of the big news stories of this election cycle as we head towards election day is the huige amount of early voting in states that allow it. Part of it is form people concerned about the riswk of the current coronavirus pandemic (which is still a thing and we could face another wave) and want to be safe. Others are voting early to try and avoid any issues regarding possible voter intimidation. The media has pointed out that the numbers who have received early or absentee ballot are tending to lean towards Democrats. However, while that and the mass numbers voting can be seen as a good sign we must be careful. It's somewhat likely that a good chunk of those early voters might be hella enthusiastic about the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago and want him re-elected. If the polls regarding early voting turnout and in which places are correct it's might not be all that likely but it's still something we have to take into consideration as election day nears.
POST FINAL DEBATE
The last debate happened a few nights back. While some in the media are trying to keep that the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago stayed calm and reasoned compared to his shit show at the first debate and the town hall that substituted for the second debate because Donny refused to have the plexiglass as protection, most people watching saw him revert to his talking points from the rallies he's spreading COVID at rather than speak to the nation as Biden did. In the next day or two we'll see whether Biden won the debate or not (though, to be honest, all Biden had to do was not throw up on himself to keep momentum going). Odds are the debate didn't change most people's minds as the MAGAssholes are still ride or die behind Donny and Biden's supporters are going to stick with him.
As for the undecideds the question is how many are still actually undecided/ Some may have decided and not told anyone. Other may lie come election time. A few are leaning Biden but the Mad Fuhrer's minions hope whatever last ditch dirt they try to throw can lure the ones who react from emotion rather than reason. However, we;re currently at the week from the actual election day mark and the Mad Fuhrer's minions attacking Hunter Biden or rumors of deals Biden supposed had with China (after news was revealed that electoral vote winner Donny had a private Chinese bank account and paid more in taxes to China than to this country) reeks of desperation.
Does that mean the polls will be right? Time will tell but early voting has been extremely high and if reports of high mail in voting and early voting coming from registered Democrats and Democratic party strongholds prove correct than the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago will have to not only keep his base (mainly white supremacists and white conservative christians [calling them evangelicals leaves out not just the differences between Black and Latinx evangelicals (who leaned Democrats more than not) and white evangelicals (who love Donny) as well as leaving out white fundamentalist christians and charismatics (both of whom differ subtly but have distinct differences for those in the know) but also gain strides in moderates and win over some liberal voters. Constantly speaking to the Mad Fuhrer of Mar-A-Lago's base instead of reaching out doesn't help Donny.
We're a week before election day and it's still hard to tell what will happen. The polls could be very right but it's safe that people working on Democratic campaigns are operating as if they're behind in the polls instead of ahead in many of them. As voter suppression efforts get cranked to full in an attempt to scare those who'll vote against the Mad Fuhrer away from the polls the long lines for early voting can be a double edged sword. If these were normal times it'd be easier to say who might be a winner early on but these are not normal times and, with people still remembering 2016, things are up in the air and odds are good the winner won't be called on election night.
We'll see what happens in early November.
