That blue wave that every political pundit and journalist keeps telling us is almost a sure thing in November? For those of you not politically aware of that term, it means a big Democrat win in the midterms. It’s so big that it could have the Democrats taking control of the U.S. House of Representatives and a slimmer chance of the U.S. Senate.
Just wait one minute with that prediction.
To all those political pundits and journalists, please note the first thing you learn in political science is that a prediction of an election this far out is impossible, no matter how big the indicators. May I remind you of one predicted election and its outcome: Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton. This shows why you shouldn’t predict election results eight months out.
There have been amazing election outcomes in Virginia, Alabama and Pennsylvania’s 18th congressional district special election. This was a solid Republican district, where Trump won by 20 percent. However, residents elected Conor Lamb, the first Democrat to be elected there in 15 years. That enthusiasm has to be maintained until November.
There is no staying home on Election Day in November, and I’m speaking particularly to the majority of white women who did just that in 2016, which gave us Donald Trump.
But here’s the thing. A few years ago, friends of mine at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C., and in the Hillary Clinton campaign told me that if they had their choice, they’d prefer Trump over Ted Cruz as the Republican nominee.
Well, they got their wish, and we, the nation, got screwed, mostly because many thought Clinton was in the bag and didn’t show up to vote.
Let’s add another wrinkle. If something major happens before that November election, like a war with North Korea or some other unforeseen event, things can change on that dime.
The point here is simple. My grandmother, Fannie Weinstein, always told me, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” And this is from me: Make sure no matter what happens, get out and vote. And if you can’t make it to the polls, get an absentee ballot. Make it the most important day of 2018.
Do your part in the resistance. This year, you can join others and put a check on the craziness of Washington.