Rather unexpectedly, I’ve become a little obsessed with the political ads on radio and TV here in Oregon. They’re absolutely unhinged in a way that feels… uh, different? And I’m saying that as someone who will be voting in Ohio also known as Thee Battleground State next week.
What’s the vibe where y’all are? How are you feeling about the midterm election?
Honestly, I'm feeling pretty hopeful. I volunteered with Vote Save America and most of the people who responded are really well informed, on all of the candidates and which elections are critical - enthusiasm is way up. Most people also know the stakes. And I've learned a lot from Simon Rosenberg and TargetEarly....and my wish and dream is that some of the R votes that are early votes have actually voted blue. All of that said, it's all still too close. It shouldn't be this close. I don't know if we can turn things around in two years, but I do believe we'll have a chance to. By the tiniest margin ever. Fascism is relentless and exhausting. So is stupidity. I am going to eat a donut for national donut day. xo
Former Californian now in Arizona and *insert Whoopi “You in danger, girl” meme* The governor’s race is very close with a MAGA idiot on one side and a competent but negative charisma Democrat on the other. One of the blue Senate seats could flip to a MAGAt and 1/3 of the registered voters are “Independent” so who knows what will happen.
Here in deep red Tennessee, I'm not holding out hope for any surprise wins. But on the positive side, there are some wonderful candidates running their hearts out in spite of the odds against them, and that gives me hope for the long haul.
I’m scared but also frozen in place/numb? I put in a lot of volunteering time last cycle and haven’t this cycle because the Dem leadership has been so uninspiring and bad but I know I should put in effort anyway but also I’m burnt out?
Umm. I live in Austin, so I’m going back and forth between cautious optimism and outright panic. Voted early and am planning to watch as little news as I can get away with on Tuesday, save for maybe Colbert live, because we deserve it.
Oregonian - been feeling pretty disgusted by the ads. Really can't wait until Tuesday. Hope you are enjoying Portland! There is a great Cuban restaurant called Pambiche if you are into it.
Oregonian here who has already voted (it’s all mail in here) and it’s pretty bad. It all seems to show up right as we get our ballots in the mail - especially the mailers and door signs that have been nonstop this week. Ads aside, hope you have a great time at the Portland Book Festival this weekend!
Sigh ... I voted on Thursday by mail-in from the US Consulate in Toronto. I have absolutely loved how it works over the past several years. I always get a totally affirming vibe from the election board in the conservative county in NE Ohio where I grew up and where I'm registered (though living in Canada since 1986). My buddy Rich there always insists by email that everyone gets to vote, even though Wayne Co. is overwhelmingly Republican, and ... I voted the Democratic straight [so-called] ticket, because of how the "other party" is manipulating things to suppress the real moderation of Ohio.
How I do hope some measure of sanity will prevail. I fear for the loss of democracy.
I am having a really hard time not giving into despair, tbqh. I sent in my ballot & give where I can but I just can’t get past the sad fact that despite how openly horrid the gop field is, none of it is disqualifying. My brain likes to process things in a logical way, but absolutely none of this is logical & I constantly feel like I’m losing my mind, waving my arms around trying to get everyone else to pay attention to how bad things are, how much worse they can get. Trying to remember that hope is a discipline & it’s just a bit harder to practice these days.
I live in New York, and despite the last-minute Zeldin . . . I won't call it a surge. I'll call it a bump? An anthill? Whatever, I'm confident that New York will be fine. But I grew up in Wisconsin, and I'm completely petrified about what's going to happen there. The feeling I'm getting when I call my mother is the same feeling I got in 2016 when I would call and she'd say, "Where the hell is Hillary?" And we know how that turned out.
Feeling pretty terrified. In PA, we're electing both a new governor and US Senator and I never trust the rest of the state (I'm in Philly) to do the right thing.
I'm in PA too, right outside Philly. Only yard signs I see are for Shapiro and Fetterman, same for friends in Pittsburgh, but the middle of the state is vast and red-leaning. Trying not to worry about what will happen if key races go Democrat but are close, or catastrophize about what will happen if Repubs take the Senate.
I’m close to Philly too. Only started to see Oz signs recently in very owealthy areas - sickening. I would vote for Fetterman if he were on a ventilator(God Forbid;) hoping for both but same - worried about Pennsyltucky. Thank you Saeed.
I'm in Texas sooooo... deep dread and disappointment with a light sliver of hope? Down here we've had a lot of attack ads from a group called "Could've Been Worse." Absolute chef's kiss name and ads.
I live in Boston, so the ads I’m seeing here are mainly the GOP attack ads against Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire. Although it’s pretty clear that Maura Healy (current state AG, progressive, lesbian) will win as our new Governor... I predict the disgusting far-right Trumper Geoff Diehl will receive a disconcertingly large % of votes...in supposedly blue MASSACHUSETTS. I’m paying close attention to races in Virginia and North Carolina, where I spent most of my growing up years.
Generally, though, I’m experiencing big political mood swings: sometimes a mix of anxiety and dread, other times a “fuck the polls” optimism that Dems will turn out big and win some important elections. But let’s be real; the mid-terms will solve (or resolve) nothing. This fight is going to take years and years.
This is my first election in NC. I voted early and I’ve been door-knocking. Im not optimistic about the senate race, but there are a ton of races on the ballot, including judges, and we’ve gotta try. The TV ads are super intense, you’d think Cheri Beasley was the devil. Wild, nauseating times.
Great question! I empathise with the comments thread - we are also experiencing increased facism here. It’s wild. I know the outcome in the USA will have ripple effects internationally - so, thinking of you all, in solidarity, and trusting in goodness. 1love. Al
Oregonian here! We have an especially wild governors race happening, an infusion of large donations from daddy Phil (Phil knight of Nike) and national republicans looking to flip Oregon red, and a lot of apathy from democrats - so ya I’m feeling nervous about how this all will play out and what the next 4 years will look like. It feels like voters are willing to throw away all progress Oregon has made because they’re fed up with seeing homeless camps, and I get it, the situation is out of hand. But the way liberal voters have been sliding to the right is disheartening. Everyone who marched in the streets 2 years ago wants to vote for conservatives now because of some NIMBY bullshit
Also in Ohio! I have missed all political ads until this week when I tuned into F*x to watch the World Series. While I’m trying to stay optimistic about results (which is hard regardless), I am very worried that there will be violence at polling places across the country.
In Seattle, WA, I've been following Michael Moore, so hopeful, but also feeling the fear of the what if we don't get the blue wave we need. And in these tight races there are bound to be recounts and the reds putting up a fight to the death. Trying to keep my fear calm.
I feel as if I keep seeing the same repeat of every run up to a local election - since the 1980's. This two party system needs to end. Same big talk that turn out to be empty promises and a lack of leadership to move the United States into the future. I have been a registered Democrat since the first time I voted. I am considering registering as an independent for the next presidential election. I am a 50ish Caucasian female that can not understand why this country is being represented in Washington D.C. in the Senate, House and Supreme Court by a minority of aging white men still? It infuriates me! Our country has become more diverse, yet white, senior men are still making decisions that do not reflect the true makeup of our country and not forward thinking for all of our future, especially the youngest generations. I support wisdom and experience but we need legislation that limits how long these ancient relics can serve at the highest level. We need younger representatives that understand technology, social media, and climate change. What's the solution? More younger people voting?
I feel like the cat in Schrödinger‘s box; unsure whether, when the lid opens, I will be alive or dead and whether everything outside the box will be alive or dead. I’m hoping the reporting about the reversion to the mean in the polls is wrong. I’m hoping that Dems, especially young people, show up or have voted by mail in big numbers. It’s easy to say I’m still traumatized from Trump’s win, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over Reagan’s first win. I’m 60. I worry for my children’s future, my grandchildren’s future, and the futures of all vulnerable people. Peace to all!
Honestly, I'm feeling pretty hopeful. I volunteered with Vote Save America and most of the people who responded are really well informed, on all of the candidates and which elections are critical - enthusiasm is way up. Most people also know the stakes. And I've learned a lot from Simon Rosenberg and TargetEarly....and my wish and dream is that some of the R votes that are early votes have actually voted blue. All of that said, it's all still too close. It shouldn't be this close. I don't know if we can turn things around in two years, but I do believe we'll have a chance to. By the tiniest margin ever. Fascism is relentless and exhausting. So is stupidity. I am going to eat a donut for national donut day. xo
Former Californian now in Arizona and *insert Whoopi “You in danger, girl” meme* The governor’s race is very close with a MAGA idiot on one side and a competent but negative charisma Democrat on the other. One of the blue Senate seats could flip to a MAGAt and 1/3 of the registered voters are “Independent” so who knows what will happen.
Okay so I was reading some quotes today and OMG. We can all only hope it goes toward sanity.
Why are so many democrats negative charisma UGHHHHH
Here in deep red Tennessee, I'm not holding out hope for any surprise wins. But on the positive side, there are some wonderful candidates running their hearts out in spite of the odds against them, and that gives me hope for the long haul.
I am not optimistic!! But I voted.
Maryland is a hot mess too.
I’m scared but also frozen in place/numb? I put in a lot of volunteering time last cycle and haven’t this cycle because the Dem leadership has been so uninspiring and bad but I know I should put in effort anyway but also I’m burnt out?
Tired! I'd love to feel hopeful. But I live in Texas. I could go on, but we know how to fill in these blanks.
Mmmhmm.
Umm. I live in Austin, so I’m going back and forth between cautious optimism and outright panic. Voted early and am planning to watch as little news as I can get away with on Tuesday, save for maybe Colbert live, because we deserve it.
Oregonian - been feeling pretty disgusted by the ads. Really can't wait until Tuesday. Hope you are enjoying Portland! There is a great Cuban restaurant called Pambiche if you are into it.
Here’s hoping Tuesday brings some actual relief and, dare I say it, sanity. Because good lord!
Oregonian here who has already voted (it’s all mail in here) and it’s pretty bad. It all seems to show up right as we get our ballots in the mail - especially the mailers and door signs that have been nonstop this week. Ads aside, hope you have a great time at the Portland Book Festival this weekend!
Ads again, I’m having a WONDERFUL time here.
with several people forwarding this https://www.thewrap.com/bill-maher-midterm-predicts-gop-win-democracy-death/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking_news_7168117 I'm not loving the vibe, either. Fingers crossed they're wrong.
😬😬😬😬
Sorry. Didn't mean to add to your anxiety when we need you to write more awesome poetry.
Sigh ... I voted on Thursday by mail-in from the US Consulate in Toronto. I have absolutely loved how it works over the past several years. I always get a totally affirming vibe from the election board in the conservative county in NE Ohio where I grew up and where I'm registered (though living in Canada since 1986). My buddy Rich there always insists by email that everyone gets to vote, even though Wayne Co. is overwhelmingly Republican, and ... I voted the Democratic straight [so-called] ticket, because of how the "other party" is manipulating things to suppress the real moderation of Ohio.
How I do hope some measure of sanity will prevail. I fear for the loss of democracy.
I am having a really hard time not giving into despair, tbqh. I sent in my ballot & give where I can but I just can’t get past the sad fact that despite how openly horrid the gop field is, none of it is disqualifying. My brain likes to process things in a logical way, but absolutely none of this is logical & I constantly feel like I’m losing my mind, waving my arms around trying to get everyone else to pay attention to how bad things are, how much worse they can get. Trying to remember that hope is a discipline & it’s just a bit harder to practice these days.
I live in New York, and despite the last-minute Zeldin . . . I won't call it a surge. I'll call it a bump? An anthill? Whatever, I'm confident that New York will be fine. But I grew up in Wisconsin, and I'm completely petrified about what's going to happen there. The feeling I'm getting when I call my mother is the same feeling I got in 2016 when I would call and she'd say, "Where the hell is Hillary?" And we know how that turned out.
I'm in Georgia, nervous and screaming. Definitely going to avoid the news as much as I can on Tuesday, and stop by the wine shop on my way home
Feeling pretty terrified. In PA, we're electing both a new governor and US Senator and I never trust the rest of the state (I'm in Philly) to do the right thing.
I'm in PA too, right outside Philly. Only yard signs I see are for Shapiro and Fetterman, same for friends in Pittsburgh, but the middle of the state is vast and red-leaning. Trying not to worry about what will happen if key races go Democrat but are close, or catastrophize about what will happen if Repubs take the Senate.
I’m close to Philly too. Only started to see Oz signs recently in very owealthy areas - sickening. I would vote for Fetterman if he were on a ventilator(God Forbid;) hoping for both but same - worried about Pennsyltucky. Thank you Saeed.
I'm in Texas sooooo... deep dread and disappointment with a light sliver of hope? Down here we've had a lot of attack ads from a group called "Could've Been Worse." Absolute chef's kiss name and ads.
I live in Boston, so the ads I’m seeing here are mainly the GOP attack ads against Maggie Hassan in New Hampshire. Although it’s pretty clear that Maura Healy (current state AG, progressive, lesbian) will win as our new Governor... I predict the disgusting far-right Trumper Geoff Diehl will receive a disconcertingly large % of votes...in supposedly blue MASSACHUSETTS. I’m paying close attention to races in Virginia and North Carolina, where I spent most of my growing up years.
Generally, though, I’m experiencing big political mood swings: sometimes a mix of anxiety and dread, other times a “fuck the polls” optimism that Dems will turn out big and win some important elections. But let’s be real; the mid-terms will solve (or resolve) nothing. This fight is going to take years and years.
For what it’s worth, I found this Dahlia Lithwick piece helpful: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/11/election-lies-2022-midterms-misinformation-survival.html
This is my first election in NC. I voted early and I’ve been door-knocking. Im not optimistic about the senate race, but there are a ton of races on the ballot, including judges, and we’ve gotta try. The TV ads are super intense, you’d think Cheri Beasley was the devil. Wild, nauseating times.
Kia ora from Aotearoa,
Great question! I empathise with the comments thread - we are also experiencing increased facism here. It’s wild. I know the outcome in the USA will have ripple effects internationally - so, thinking of you all, in solidarity, and trusting in goodness. 1love. Al
Oregonian here! We have an especially wild governors race happening, an infusion of large donations from daddy Phil (Phil knight of Nike) and national republicans looking to flip Oregon red, and a lot of apathy from democrats - so ya I’m feeling nervous about how this all will play out and what the next 4 years will look like. It feels like voters are willing to throw away all progress Oregon has made because they’re fed up with seeing homeless camps, and I get it, the situation is out of hand. But the way liberal voters have been sliding to the right is disheartening. Everyone who marched in the streets 2 years ago wants to vote for conservatives now because of some NIMBY bullshit
Also in Ohio! I have missed all political ads until this week when I tuned into F*x to watch the World Series. While I’m trying to stay optimistic about results (which is hard regardless), I am very worried that there will be violence at polling places across the country.
In Seattle, WA, I've been following Michael Moore, so hopeful, but also feeling the fear of the what if we don't get the blue wave we need. And in these tight races there are bound to be recounts and the reds putting up a fight to the death. Trying to keep my fear calm.
In Northern Kentucky, so following Ohio, as well as Kentucky. So I feel anxious and would like to nap much of the time.
Not great but doing my best.
I feel as if I keep seeing the same repeat of every run up to a local election - since the 1980's. This two party system needs to end. Same big talk that turn out to be empty promises and a lack of leadership to move the United States into the future. I have been a registered Democrat since the first time I voted. I am considering registering as an independent for the next presidential election. I am a 50ish Caucasian female that can not understand why this country is being represented in Washington D.C. in the Senate, House and Supreme Court by a minority of aging white men still? It infuriates me! Our country has become more diverse, yet white, senior men are still making decisions that do not reflect the true makeup of our country and not forward thinking for all of our future, especially the youngest generations. I support wisdom and experience but we need legislation that limits how long these ancient relics can serve at the highest level. We need younger representatives that understand technology, social media, and climate change. What's the solution? More younger people voting?
I feel like the cat in Schrödinger‘s box; unsure whether, when the lid opens, I will be alive or dead and whether everything outside the box will be alive or dead. I’m hoping the reporting about the reversion to the mean in the polls is wrong. I’m hoping that Dems, especially young people, show up or have voted by mail in big numbers. It’s easy to say I’m still traumatized from Trump’s win, but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten over Reagan’s first win. I’m 60. I worry for my children’s future, my grandchildren’s future, and the futures of all vulnerable people. Peace to all!
Sadly, I absolutely agree, Kevin.