Friday Morning Musings

• The more I read about it, the more I am convinced that the main reason for the Virginia result (obviously there were many) was that McAuliffe ran a pretty piss-poor campaign.

• It is ridiculous that the pundits as usual are drawing conclusions of an inevitable disaster for the Dems in 2024. That could happen, but if it does it's going to be for reasons these same pundits aren't even thinking about now. Or because of events that might occur many months into the future. I always remind myself of the inevitability of G. H. W. Bush's re-election in 1992. His approval rating was above 70% only a year and a half before the election.

• It's pretty clear that when folks look into the mirror of Tuesday's election results, what they see reflected back is exactly what they wish to see (myself included).

• I agree with what I heard Rev. Dr. William Barber say a couple years ago: it is almost always movements that push politics rather than politics pulling people. In fact, movements can actually push the courts as well (e.g., marriage equality). This is certainly borne out in my lifetime. To the extent that I have any money and energy left, they will be directed at movements rather than politicians.