Well, that was ugly. I wish someone had warned us.
I used to think anything and everything could be blamed on voter fraud, but not this slaughter. We just got our butts kicked.
If this were softball, they’d have invoked the 10-run rule by about 8 pm. If this were a date, she’d have crawled out the womens’ bathroom window before the entree arrived. If this were a job interview, they’d have dismissed you early. If this were a naughty sext message, you would have accidentally sent it to your mom.
Two years ago, we had everything – the Presidency, the Senate, the House, the Supreme Court, the majority of voters. Now, we’ve lost the Senate and House. They’re threatening to pack the Supreme Court. The Presidency is occupied by lamest of lame ducks since the day Daffy Duck got shot-gunned by Elmer Fudd, just before somebody or something said, “Th-th-th-th-that’s all, folks!”
As for the voters, they took a bye. At least the Republicans did.
So, where to now? The good news, as we just proved, is that two years is a long time in politics. Democrats who persist in damning the duck won’t get much traction two years from now. If the duck was not on the ballot today, he’ll really not be on the ballot in 2028.
But his Vice President might. Better if he’s not, I think.
For a Republican to shed the duck feathers, to break this curse, to win the Presidency, it will take either (1) another patently senile Democrat leader, and we can’t count on that, or (2) a Republican with some guts, some smarts, some distance from the duck, and – perhaps most of all – some charm. JD lacks at least two of the four.
There are others, however. Marco Rubio is the greatest diplomat since Henry Kissinger, and maybe since Benjamin Franklin. He’s somewhat removed from the duck, but, then again, perhaps everyone in the administration will be duck soup.
Outside the administration, there’s Ron DeSantis. I like Ron, but I have a hunch that he’s not the one.
Nikki Haley? Nah, too many X chromosomes to get the Republican nomination. Ted Cruz? Nah, too much a senator (a very good one, I’ll add). An unknown? Nah, too unknown.
Enough of that. Here’s my bigger message.
Don’t despair; it’s not worth it. This latest “most important of our lifetime” election will not change your life today, next week, next month or even next year. It’s mostly a media event. It’s click bait.
Sure, it may change the lives of our children, but maybe it’s time to stop treating our children like children. Maybe the governance of their country by the people of their choosing is their problem, huh?
Political junkies are like sports junkies. As a political junkie myself at times, I’ll confess that both types have small lives. Both types seek through their tribe a substitute for friends they never had. Both types seek the gratification of winning without the effort of competing. Both types seek an emotional connection unburdened by the obligations of commitment and closeness.
Mostly, this so-called connection is a shared hatred. It’s “Fuck the other side!” Seriously, would you want to be friends with James Carville or Tucker Carlson? Or Donald Trump or Chuck Schumer?
Save your emotions for people who are worth it and for things within your control. Enjoy the grandkids. Get in shape. Watch the snow fall. Walk the Camino de Santiago. Go bowling – with friends, not the tribe.
It doesn’t matter whether your tribe wins the Senate or the Superbowl, I promise you. You have only one life. Don’t waste it as a spectator – or a tribesman.
