On September 1, 2007 Appalachian State, an AA football team from a small college walked into the largest football stadium in the nation and shocked the world.
Michigan, a powerful and storied program, was beaten because they allowed their confidence to get the better of them. The Wolverines believed they had the game in the bag before the game started and it cost them.
We must be careful that as Democrats, we don't fall into the same trap.
This is not a gloom and doom diary. I'm not playing the part of a modern day Cassandra warning of an unforseen and unavoidable defeat. I believe that no matter which of our candidates wins the nomination, the 2008 election is one that we should win. If we lose, it will only be because of our own arrogance.
After three special election victories in Republican Districts we have the momentum. We have a tremendous advantages in cash-on-hand and in fund raising. Our party has historic leads in generic ballot match-ups. Our candidates are generating far more excitement among voters. As a nation we have reached a consensus that we are headed in the wrong direction. The Republicans are saddled with an unpopular war, a more unpopular President, and a weakened economy.
How tempting it is to sit back and watch our political adversaries suffer the implosion that their party so richly deserves.
If we allow ourselves even the slightest relaxation in our efforts, we could suffer the same fate that Michigan did last September.
All across the blogosphere I've watched our supporters examine our nation's political trends and pronounce this 'our year.' Even the TV talking heads have begun to predict disaster for the GOP in the fall. Our counterparts on the right side of the web, masters of self-deception and seemingly impervious to reality, have wailed about the disaster they see coming.
This election is ours to win but when the challenge seems smallest, failures of concentration and dedication loom largest.
I am not a concern troll. While I write few diaries, I have been a member here at DailyKos for over three years and I lurked for at least a year before that. If we are truly the Reality Based Community, we must acknowledge our own political reality.
John McCain is not Bob Dole. He and his allies will run a tough campaign. And though it will never come out of his mouth, expect terrible things to be said about our nominee. Without issues to woo voters, the GOP will attempt to cling to power by appealing to the meanest and basest aspects of our national character. Make no mistakes. This will be a dirty, ugly slog towards November, not a coronation for our party.
From time to time, it's important to remind ourselves that no matter how advantageous the landscape seems, this election will require all of our strength, dedication, and hard work.
Please, as the nomination process winds down, resolve to donate money to our candidates - Presidential, Congressional, and local. Spend time making phone calls and going door to door.