November 8, 2017 – Merry Electoral Boxing Day.
It is challenging to not succumb to the baser instincts and
gloat in the face of the formerly hubris-filled yet now cowed Trumpists. Of course, that would itself be a
manifestation of hubris. Not today
irony, not today.
I will readily admit, earlier yesterday afternoon, I was wagering
that Gillespie would somehow pull it off – by hook or (more likely) by crook –
by half a percentage point. Upon
arriving back in my Wilde Lake Election 2017 HQ a few short hours later, the
networks had already called it for Northam.
The 8.6% margin for the eventual winner was clearly above the prevailing
polling trend line (sorry, Brothers and Sisters) which was showing something
closer to a three-point spread. Note: credit
where credit is earned: Quinnipiac nailed it with their final pre-election poll,
released on the 6th, showing Northam +9.
May the name “Harris Wofford” be echoed across the land
(see: 1991 U.S. Senate special election, see also: harbinger).
The (at minimum) 14 seat pick-up for the Democrats in the
Virginia House of Delegates is yet another (and probably far more ominous) sign
for any Republican in a Congressional, state legislative, or other electoral
district that is anything less than a safe GOP seat.
Of course, hard work and a massive popular rejection of
Trump Republicanism helped carry the day.
But looking to 2018, it will take more than that. A Democratic Party that can produce, adhere
to, and articulate a coherent and compelling set of principles will be
essential if we wish to build upon yesterday’s victories. This involves getting entirely past the 2016 battles
and deciding the party of the people needs to focus more on engaging with…you
guessed it…the people, and stopping with the internecine foolishness.
In solidarity.
No comments:
Post a Comment