Exit Pols
Beer didn’t work. Neither did a long walk. Now I?ll try writing. It’s midnight and sleep is not an option. It’s clear now that Ohio will determine the election and the state is trending toward Bush. How could the early exit polls have been so wrong? I?m not sure how other Democratic voters are feeling right now, but my gut feeling is telling me that Bush has this one. As a Kerry supporter, I’m really discouraged.
Two big disappointments so far:
1. How could Kentucky send Bunning back to the Senate? I am stunned. Bunning’s gaffes are now national news, but they’re worth repeating. He said that his opponent looked like one of Saddam Hussein?s sons. He claimed that his was wife was “black and blue” after she was assaulted by a member of Mongiardo’s staff. He has proudly stated that he doesn’t keep up with the news?unless it?s from Fox. Incredibly?this is just unbelievable?at a recent appearance at a small Kentucky Catholic college, he referred to the Sept. 11 events as “November the 11th”.
Kentucky just sent this man to the Senate.
2. The youth vote. The idea that young people rejected Eminem’s instructions to mosh their way to the polls doesn’t bother me. Vote or Die fizzled. Fine. And I’m a little encouraged, actually, that the Kabbalah crowd didn?t connect. But some early reports suggest that 18-29 year-olds voted the same as in 2000?that is, not in large numbers. And sadly, 30-44 year olds voted in less numbers than in 2000 (according to the same exit poll). After the 2000 election, 9-11, the Iraq War, terrorism, etc. it is just inexcusable that young people are at home playing Grand Theft Auto instead of voting. Pure apathy. Keep the gadgets, ringtones, and pop-culture goodness coming and they?re stoked. Rock on, kids.
It’s time for Democrats to do some serious soul searching. What does it mean to be a Democrat anymore? If you ask five different people, you will get five different answers. I don?t think the same is true for Republicans. “Low taxes” will be mentioned by those five people. Republicans have clear principles (regardless of whether they adhere to them) and successfully stayed on message during the campaign. Democrats don’t have a coherent vision. Are you fighting for the working-class coal miner? Or latte-swilling urbanite? Often I will hear a list of issues and policies rather than core values and guiding beliefs. Yeah, yeah, it?s a big tent. But If everyone is let inside the tent, then what do you stand for? I?m tired of Democrats just looking for new blocks and constituencies, such as Hispanics. Stand for something!