FREE-FLOATING ANXIETY 96 HOURS BEFORE THE VOTE

I am so nervous I can barely breathe.  We're going canvassing again Sunday and I will try to do more phone calls before then and after but seeing these polls closing - listening to Chuck Todd on MSNBC talk about states that are "tightening" - it's really scary.  I've felt all along that everyone is putting this election away way too soon.  As I sat with friends and listened to Joe Trippi this week, all three of us were troubled by the seeming assumption that the race is "in the bag."  It's so easy to get complacent and stay home, make fewer calls, do a bit less, if you think things are going your way anyway.

In addition, we don't know what the "young people" and first-time voters will do.   Will they show up? Can they translate quotes like this one from college student Lauren Masterson, on the NewsHour:

"We see ourselves in him, I think. Even though he is of another generation, people are excited about him because he seems to understand young people.

into turning out and waiting in line and casting that vote?  Here's a nice consideration of younger voters and their commitment.

I suppose if I just watched TNT and the endless, comforting Law and Order broadcasts instead of MSNBC, Your Place for Politics,  I'd feel better but after all the years I spent covering campaigns, I can't imagine avoiding information when it's available.  And it's really the first presidential election where I've had no editorial responsibility (except my blog) so I have all these habits and nowhere to put them.  I have to sit and listen and worry and watch and bounce from website to website, and to the links provided by friends on Twitter.  Can't stop.  It's not that I think I'll miss the Important Moment, it's that I keep hoping to hear some good news.  We all know that races tighten at the end but many states are moving into the margin of error and that's really scary. 

At least I have to go offline for Shabbat, which is going to make me nuts but may be healthy.  Keep an eye on things for me, will you?

 

Comments

[Sharon]

My husband and I started out on a walk this afternoon, and he asked, "What's gotten into you?" I had a noticeable spring in my step. I am so excited about the next two and a half days that I can barely contain myself. I will still help with a GOTV phone bank tomorrow because it will feel good to be with like-minded people. I have been and will continue to be optimistic.

[kittysmith]

My husband came home yesterday from a monthly get-together of what he calls his "Old Man's Group," (all Golden-era comic book, Western & classic movie, old radio nostalgia buffs) announcing, "That's it, Obama's winning." For 30+ years, he's been the lone Democrat-commie-pinko-un-American -liberal-minority lovin'- socialist -hippie of this Houston group, but yesterday was stunned to discover that almost everyone attending was voting (or already had voted) for Obama.
So, take heart...but keep the bromide handy.

[Ilana-Davita]

It is quite exciting to follow this election, even from miles away.

[Sylvia Kirkwood]

Just found your blog and could relate so completely! I voted by mail as we are able to do here in Washington, but I have one of the worse case of jitters that I've ever had regarding an election. It's comforting though, to know there are others having the same nervous twitch regarding this election that I am.

[kccat]

I'm going a bit crazy over this as well. I worry about exit polling, it won't be accurate with all the early voting that has been taking place. With so many democrats voting early, this may skew the exit polls that are reported on election and thus deterring voters from going to the poll. People just need to go and vote no matter what they hear.

Keep up the good work!!!