In Case You Missed It: Rachel Maddow Finds a Silver Lining in the 2014 Election

I forgot to post this yesterday, and it's too good to forget. Rachel Maddow was one of MSNBC's main commentators on their election coverage (yes, FOX-lovers, I'm her one viewer, haha), and did a pretty good job during the dour thing (when Chris Matthews wasn't being a dick). People who claimed it was funereal on that channel didn't watch, or only caught a snippet. Because Maddow lives for this stuff. She's a political junkie who thinks of elections like Christmas, no matter who is winning.

As such, even though the night was dire for liberals, Rachel culled the returns for some good news. And delivers it with the appropriate amount of "yes, I'm digging through a pile of poop for nuggets of gold here." So, if you don't know about the good things that came out of that dismal election, here's your go-to source.
 

A Possible Good Outcome for Democrats in November?

Image from DuctHide

No, it isn't a new poll, or some new study. It's just one possible outcome, because I needed something lighter to start my blogging today.

[Excerpt]

The Optimistic Scenario for Election Day

Tired of bleak political news? Here is an optimistic scenario of what just might happen on November 2: some Republican gains, but both houses of Congress remain Democratic. . .

Read more at: Huffington Post

Will Democrats Lose in November?

While I can get downright depressed about the state of the union, and politics in general, I am a cautious optimist. I'm not doom-and-gloomy about our prospects this November. For one thing, how often does a party get to keep the White House after holding it for eight years with a deeply unpopular President? Add to that a seemingly dire economic landscape, an ongoing unpopular war (started by said President), and general fatigue with the status quo, and you have a recipe for Democratic victory.

In fact, it should be historically impossible for Republicans to even come close this fall. One other factor would be the unprecedented, huge turnout by Democrats in the primaries, stacked up against an apathetic Republican base. That would have to be completely reversed for John McCain to win.

Unfortunately, as the article excerpted below shows, Democrats have a knack for snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory. And Republicans have a knack for the reverse. I'd argue that Republicans often do that by cheating, playing dirty, and being manipulative of the voters. But that is also countered by Democrats rolling over for them, and allowing them to do those things.

But I'm not worried. Not yet. Stay tuned.

[Excerpt]

Road Map to Defeat

The Democrats are doing everything they can to blow this presidential election. This is a skill that comes naturally to the party. There is no such thing as a can’t-miss year for the Democrats. They are truly gifted at finding ways to lose. . .

Read more at: New York Times