I think this is a message our whole community needs to hear.
.............................. What would Barack Obama do? ..............................
(I ask this question not in a messianic way, but in a practical way.)
Would he sweat the small stuff?
Would he fret about what or what not Joe Biden has said or whether he was getting enough or too much coverage?
Would he worry and fret about what the Clintons are saying or doing, and constantly hold grudges and disparage them?
Would he complain that the campaign has to listen to his advice or we're "doomed"?
Would he complain about policy details that can't be changed at this late stage of the election?
Would he let the rise and fall of polling data dictate his mood or enthusiasm or ability to think straight?
No, he wouldn't. He's shown us how it's done - take it easy, work hard, and keep your wits about you.
The next several weeks are going to be utter chaos.
The GOP will flood the airwaves with sewage.
The media will squawk like chicken-littles every time something minor happens.
We need to take not just our goal, but our temperament from the guy on the top of the ticket - Barack Obama. He knows how it's done, and we'd be wise to learn from his good example. (As an aside - Jonathan Alter made the point on Countdown two nights ago that just as Obama's campaign is even headed and doesn't have tons of drama, McCain's campaign is vindictive and angry. Alter's point was that the attitude comes from the guy on top - their campaigns are a reflection of their attitudes.)
These guys keep their wits about them.
I know how much we at this site like to second guess ourselves. But we've reached that point - the windmill at the end of Back to the Future part 3 - where there's no turning back. There isn't that kind of time any more. Polls are already open in several states. Voters are casting their ballots.
The campaign has to do what it has to do. Our discussion won't change that. And at every turn, Sen. Obama and his team have beat naysayers' expectations. Every minute we spend second guessing Obama's campaign, second guessing his policy, is a minute wasted. It's not coming back.
If you think I'm just trying to squelch dissent - and I'm not - ask yourself whether on Nov. 5th, if every channel is proclaiming the victory of "President elect John McCain and Vice President elect Sarah Palin", will any of the internal disputes we have now make any difference? Will will regret the time we spent discussing minutia when we could have registered a few more voters each, making that last difference?
Instead, I'm trying to say that there's a time for discussion and there's a time for action. And I know I'm guilty as we all are, but I get the sense that there's still a little bit of hesitance in some corners to taking that first step - knocking on that first door - making that first call. Donating that first $5.
The time is now. Really. N. O. W.
If you have doubts about how important it is to submerge all fears, submerge all doubts, and take real action on the ground in person, then remind yourself how you felt after Gore lost or Kerry lost. When we said collectively "never again".
I'm going to help you out with this - here's your assignment. Click on your state below if you live in a swing state, or if not, click on the closest swing state (which are Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida).
Next, click on the right side of the page where it says "find your closest office". Pick up the phone and dial an office that is closest to you, or if you're not sure, just call one at random. Tell them you want to help.
Ok, I'm waiting.
Have you called yet? No? It'll take you 1 minute - literally. I'm waiting. I welcome - encourage - you to post a comment saying what you told them and what they said when you called.
That's it. Let's win this thing.
And don't forget:
.............................. What would Barack Obama do? ..............................