We worked hard in Virginia and even though we're not a swing state, we delivered the win to Kamala. We reelected the wonderful Senator Tim Kaine. We held Abigail Spanberger's House seat blue by electing Eugene.Vindman.
I'm disgusted that Ted Cruz has been reelected and that Bernie Moreno is taking a seat in the Senate.
I live in Virginia. I am thrilled that Tim Kaine won and Eugene Vindman! That will knock Trump’s nose out of joint if he wins.
My friend and helper is 65 and never registered to vote and never voted. She does not like politics. A lot of people told her that their vote does not count. I have told her all of the horrible things trump has done. She said she might register and vote on Election Day. I heard a podcast that talked about a website called iwillvote.com. I checked it out Monday night and people could still register in VA on it Monday night. I sent the information to her. Today, when she came to take me to the doctor, she showed me her I Voted sticker. I was so surprised and proud. She registered Monday night and voted with no problem Tuesday. She said she did not want to let me down because I had told her that every vote counted and was important. Her husband and sons were shocked and so pleased when she got home and told them she had voted.
I just woke up from a nap, Linda, so didn't know about this victory for Virginia. Great news! I just found out that my District 10 elected Democrat Suhas Subramanyam! I wrote many postcards for him as well as Harris, Kaine and Suhas.
I am in hopes that everyone here will be with us next year when Virginia takes its turn to elect down ballot!
Lynell, didn't realize you're in 10 too. Hope to meet you in person some day! Was saddened to see Loudoun's margin reduced... As I write Senate majority just lost... 😪
Sad and frustrating (about the senate). Still, there’s been plenty of good news, just not time to break out the bubbles. We’re just going to bed - I have to leave for work at 7:00.
Hey, Traci! I was saddened to hear about our wonderful rep Jennifer Wexton and worried that VA-10 would lose to a Republican. So, Suhas' victory was great to hear. I haven't had a chance to read about a Democratic Senate losing the majority. Ugh!
Everyone is disgusted tonight. I’m an Ohioan and can’t believe the twit (Moreno) beat Sherrod . Also can’t believe we didn’t pass a bill to end gerrymandering in our state. We voted for Trump who’s likely to make anti-abortion a NATIONAL law, yet voters all came last Nov to put pro-choice in or state constitution. Why, if you were just going to vote Trump this year?
It is all of the above. Evidently American men do not want a woman to be president. I am sick of them. Trump will impose project 2025 on all of us, not just the ones who stupidly voted for him!
Yes, the stark difference in the candidates was so apparent, and yet Americans are firmly set to elect the felon who constantly lies and commits crimes over an intelligent, experienced woman of color. Frustrating beyond comprehension.
Thank you for your hard work, Linda. I followed Eugene Vindman's race and I'm so pleased he and his brother will be honored through his continued service to democracy.
Virginian here. Worked the polls as election worker yesterday. It was a madhouse in which should have been a quiet day in a sleepy little precinct. So proud of Virginia for holding out. We have more work to do. Today, I am heartbroken but recharging batteries. Coffee and cats, and then to work again.
Thank you, Robert. I think I can get some sleep now. Thanks too for your profound leadership for the past many years. It has mattered greatly for all of us..
I was a Freshman in college when JFK was assassinated. I thought then that our country was experiencing the worst that could happen. Now, at almost 80 I’m just sick with dread at how close we are to an abyss.
Thank you. I needed to read this. I’m feeling so sick right now, sick with the realization that Americans are way more dumb, racist, misogynistic, and bigoted than any of us ever imagined.
Yes. It helps. (I guess that old saying is actually true: "Misery loves company." Well, at least misery NEEDS company in order to not feel completely alone and desolate.)
I cry for our daughters and granddaughters, for Ukraine, for the Middle East, for our climate, for decency, for science, for justice. I am stunned and physically ill. 💙
We Dems have greatly underestimated how separated and segregated our news sources are between we progressives and the consumers of Fox News, Breitbart, Elon Musk and etc. Two very different countries. On different planets. And perhaps neither one is noticing what's going on in the other. Maybe we wouldn't have been caught so off guard by their landslide. If only we could have begun regulating our media against lies and disinformation so long ago at the dawning of hundreds of cable channels and the internet. We can't give up, but it's going to be such a long road ahead.
Robert, your words are and have always been soothing during these difficult times starting way back during Covid. And especially, now, this evening, when we all want to deny a possible nightmare outcome we might discover we in the morning. Thank goodness for you who will lift our spirits and keep us grounded so we can get through whatever may come. Many thanks!
Agree, we have to see it through. But if that oaf does win, it won’t be long before he’s taken out by his own team. And Biden still has immunity for another few months. A girl can dream.
I am nauseously pessimistic about the future of this country. Thanks to the Supreme Court this guy will be above the law. Just like the dictators in this world are.
Trump has not moved off of 230 electoral votes since he got there hours ago. I admit I freaked a little when he zoomed right up there and Harris was waaay behind. I worried that he would get 40 more before she started piling on the west coast numbers. But while he sits, meanwhile, Harris has been steadily chipping away and is now at 210. The path may be narrow, but I agree that it is still there.
I have to think a lot of voters don't really understand what they're actually voting for. Even worse, many do. I'm taking a break from watching to check out what you all are feeling. Also checked to see if the sofa I want is still on sale. It is. Nice distraction. I'll be ordering it this week. OK, now back to maintaining some hope and stress eating. Deep breaths.
Just saw this again, and am laughing out loud this time. I love how you put that you want to "check out what you all are feeling" next to "also checked to see if the sofa I want is still on sale. It is." And "back to maintaining some hope and stress eating." I. love. your. both-erisms!
I’m trying to not tune in to the returns. I can’t bear the thought of any more Trump or any Vance (same as all of us). But it’s not over, as you said. I really hate anyone who voted for the fascists. Wish I could GTF outta this country.
You can get out. I share your fury for the people who have put our country into this terrible situation. What gives them the right to steal our democracy?!! I think the thing that sickened me the most was reading that Latinos (males) went strongly for the orange sadist. Word on the street has it that men -- Black men, too, as well as (of course) white men -- think that a woman is "too emotional" to be President. WHAT???!!!
Thank you. They are idiots. It’s hard to leave when one is old and has little money. But leaving may be better than staying. Where to go? Canada won’t want me and my partner. I have a friend in Colombia….
I'm old, too, and have many serious medical problems which, of course, Medicare won't cover if I'm in another country. Portugal is somewhere I never considered, but has apparently become popular with ex-pats. (If I remember correctly, there are areas where Americans have made their own little enclaves.) The cost of living is low, the people are friendly and mostly speak English, and the surroundings are beautiful. You can even buy their national health insurance at a reasonable price. I'm looking into it some more.
Robert, I’ve been reading your missive since the beginning, and appreciate your upbeat look at our circumstances. But I am not so upbeat- I could not sleep, so I’m watching reruns of SVU, on all night long. My daughter, who has lived in London for many years, and is still a citizen, has taken the first steps to becoming a British citizen now, and fears for the world her daughter will inherit. I am 78, and wonder if I will live long enough to see the pendulum swing our way again.
And won’t those true believers be surprised when Elon’s painful few years knocks them to the ground. And then they’ll need to pick vegetables or work in abattoirs to supplement their ravaged Social Security and lack of insurance.
Well, one piece of good news is Fani Willis was re-elected. I was so hoping that Rick Scott would have lost his Senate seat. I felt bad for Sherrod Brown lost his seat in Ohio. Patience is a virtue we are all going to be learning.
The Eagle Nebula is awesome. I see the eagle eyes and beak. Your choice of nebula tonight symbolizes the strength and freedom of America as a country.
Thank you for your words tonight. I will be joining you putting one foot in front of the other.
I conclude that the electorate wants to live in a fascist country.
I give a large share of blame to the corporate media.
Those who voted for Trump are so stupid that they won’t even notice as the movers and shakers behind Trump draw and quarter them and feed their entrails to the crows.
"Wokism" goes a long way. My in-person and online engagements have largely been objections to gay marriage, trans rights, DEI, books they don't like, etc. Conservative Christians who don't even know the term Christian Nationalism, much less that they have been sucked into it, excuse literally anything now. I'm a practicing Christian myself, and I grew up in a conservative environment, but these aren't my tribe anymore.
I never seriously thought that Trump could win again and thought Harris has run a great campaign. I feel sick to my stomach and fearful for the future.
I certainly never imagined he would finally win a popular vote. And maybe the final number will show he hasn't. If so, the electoral college has to go.
Even without the electoral college Trump won the popular vote. However, Lawrence McDonnell (MSNBC commentator) noted that many people in states that were not swing states for many years gave up voting altogether because only the swing states made the decision on who becomes president. If we eliminated the electoral college these people might come to believe that their vote would make a difference. That would increase the number of votes for candidates running for House and Senate and down ballot offices as well.
I agree. I stopped tracking numbers a while ago. Is it not possible that when the final counts catch up that he might have once again taken the EC without the popular vote? It's mindblowing that he would lose two popular votes, run the most chaotic, hateful campaign yet with his disintegration on full display and pick up votes. Unless the overall number of votes was fewer this time than in 2020. Now I suppose analysts will be picking apart whether Biden would have been the best bet after all.
We worked hard in Virginia and even though we're not a swing state, we delivered the win to Kamala. We reelected the wonderful Senator Tim Kaine. We held Abigail Spanberger's House seat blue by electing Eugene.Vindman.
I'm disgusted that Ted Cruz has been reelected and that Bernie Moreno is taking a seat in the Senate.
I live in Virginia. I am thrilled that Tim Kaine won and Eugene Vindman! That will knock Trump’s nose out of joint if he wins.
My friend and helper is 65 and never registered to vote and never voted. She does not like politics. A lot of people told her that their vote does not count. I have told her all of the horrible things trump has done. She said she might register and vote on Election Day. I heard a podcast that talked about a website called iwillvote.com. I checked it out Monday night and people could still register in VA on it Monday night. I sent the information to her. Today, when she came to take me to the doctor, she showed me her I Voted sticker. I was so surprised and proud. She registered Monday night and voted with no problem Tuesday. She said she did not want to let me down because I had told her that every vote counted and was important. Her husband and sons were shocked and so pleased when she got home and told them she had voted.
Good for you, Virginia! Proof positive that every vote counts!
Thank you. I did not think that she would really do it. I think being able to register online helped persuade her.
Thank you for that bright spot in this election! I hope and pray we find more positive results around the nation!!
I just woke up from a nap, Linda, so didn't know about this victory for Virginia. Great news! I just found out that my District 10 elected Democrat Suhas Subramanyam! I wrote many postcards for him as well as Harris, Kaine and Suhas.
I am in hopes that everyone here will be with us next year when Virginia takes its turn to elect down ballot!
Lynell, didn't realize you're in 10 too. Hope to meet you in person some day! Was saddened to see Loudoun's margin reduced... As I write Senate majority just lost... 😪
Sad and frustrating (about the senate). Still, there’s been plenty of good news, just not time to break out the bubbles. We’re just going to bed - I have to leave for work at 7:00.
Hey, Traci! I was saddened to hear about our wonderful rep Jennifer Wexton and worried that VA-10 would lose to a Republican. So, Suhas' victory was great to hear. I haven't had a chance to read about a Democratic Senate losing the majority. Ugh!
Yes, Suhas, Kaine, & state all great wins! Praying tomorrow delivers Kamala & the House 🙏 🙏
Everyone is disgusted tonight. I’m an Ohioan and can’t believe the twit (Moreno) beat Sherrod . Also can’t believe we didn’t pass a bill to end gerrymandering in our state. We voted for Trump who’s likely to make anti-abortion a NATIONAL law, yet voters all came last Nov to put pro-choice in or state constitution. Why, if you were just going to vote Trump this year?
Max, it makes no sense, unless it’s rampant propaganda, voter suppression or misogyny and racism. Or all of the above.
It is all of the above. Evidently American men do not want a woman to be president. I am sick of them. Trump will impose project 2025 on all of us, not just the ones who stupidly voted for him!
Yes, the stark difference in the candidates was so apparent, and yet Americans are firmly set to elect the felon who constantly lies and commits crimes over an intelligent, experienced woman of color. Frustrating beyond comprehension.
Grr!
Good work and good news. Thank you!
Disgusted and sad. Colin is so great :( Bernie Moreno :(
Thank you for your hard work, Linda. I followed Eugene Vindman's race and I'm so pleased he and his brother will be honored through his continued service to democracy.
Virginian here. Worked the polls as election worker yesterday. It was a madhouse in which should have been a quiet day in a sleepy little precinct. So proud of Virginia for holding out. We have more work to do. Today, I am heartbroken but recharging batteries. Coffee and cats, and then to work again.
Thank you, Robert. I think I can get some sleep now. Thanks too for your profound leadership for the past many years. It has mattered greatly for all of us..
Love you Robert. But I have to be honest, I am disgusted with America tonight.
I was a Freshman in college when JFK was assassinated. I thought then that our country was experiencing the worst that could happen. Now, at almost 80 I’m just sick with dread at how close we are to an abyss.
Thank you. I needed to read this. I’m feeling so sick right now, sick with the realization that Americans are way more dumb, racist, misogynistic, and bigoted than any of us ever imagined.
Thank you! I am nauseously optimistic - I think - or maybe just nauseous how anyone could support such a horrible human being.
I’m with you, Lillian! I’m about to puke. I can’t understand how this is happening! I was sure it would be a landslide no question!
We at least have a shared misery
Yes. It helps. (I guess that old saying is actually true: "Misery loves company." Well, at least misery NEEDS company in order to not feel completely alone and desolate.)
I am so afraid for our country.
In the past two days, I honestly did too. I am sick, literally sick.
I cry for our daughters and granddaughters, for Ukraine, for the Middle East, for our climate, for decency, for science, for justice. I am stunned and physically ill. 💙
Hi Kathy! I'll email you very soon. Best, Lisa xo
Thank you, Lisa. I think I need you/we need each other right now.
We Dems have greatly underestimated how separated and segregated our news sources are between we progressives and the consumers of Fox News, Breitbart, Elon Musk and etc. Two very different countries. On different planets. And perhaps neither one is noticing what's going on in the other. Maybe we wouldn't have been caught so off guard by their landslide. If only we could have begun regulating our media against lies and disinformation so long ago at the dawning of hundreds of cable channels and the internet. We can't give up, but it's going to be such a long road ahead.
Robert, your words are and have always been soothing during these difficult times starting way back during Covid. And especially, now, this evening, when we all want to deny a possible nightmare outcome we might discover we in the morning. Thank goodness for you who will lift our spirits and keep us grounded so we can get through whatever may come. Many thanks!
Agree, we have to see it through. But if that oaf does win, it won’t be long before he’s taken out by his own team. And Biden still has immunity for another few months. A girl can dream.
Hope he can do something with it!!
I am nauseously pessimistic about the future of this country. Thanks to the Supreme Court this guy will be above the law. Just like the dictators in this world are.
I feel exactly the same
Thank you, Robert! Wise counsel as always.
Trump has not moved off of 230 electoral votes since he got there hours ago. I admit I freaked a little when he zoomed right up there and Harris was waaay behind. I worried that he would get 40 more before she started piling on the west coast numbers. But while he sits, meanwhile, Harris has been steadily chipping away and is now at 210. The path may be narrow, but I agree that it is still there.
Yes! I had to keep reminding myself of the “red mirage.”
Well! Someone sent me a cartoon of a voter breathing into a bag. Yes! That’s about where we are - well I am.
I have to think a lot of voters don't really understand what they're actually voting for. Even worse, many do. I'm taking a break from watching to check out what you all are feeling. Also checked to see if the sofa I want is still on sale. It is. Nice distraction. I'll be ordering it this week. OK, now back to maintaining some hope and stress eating. Deep breaths.
My first (small) smile of the night. Thank you Joanne.
Just saw this again, and am laughing out loud this time. I love how you put that you want to "check out what you all are feeling" next to "also checked to see if the sofa I want is still on sale. It is." And "back to maintaining some hope and stress eating." I. love. your. both-erisms!
Makes me happy to make you laugh. Life is kind of a both-erism, isnt it.
My son sent me a picture of Biden’s hand passing his signature sunglasses into Kamala’s hand. Priceless.
I’m trying to not tune in to the returns. I can’t bear the thought of any more Trump or any Vance (same as all of us). But it’s not over, as you said. I really hate anyone who voted for the fascists. Wish I could GTF outta this country.
You can get out. I share your fury for the people who have put our country into this terrible situation. What gives them the right to steal our democracy?!! I think the thing that sickened me the most was reading that Latinos (males) went strongly for the orange sadist. Word on the street has it that men -- Black men, too, as well as (of course) white men -- think that a woman is "too emotional" to be President. WHAT???!!!
Thank you. They are idiots. It’s hard to leave when one is old and has little money. But leaving may be better than staying. Where to go? Canada won’t want me and my partner. I have a friend in Colombia….
I'm old, too, and have many serious medical problems which, of course, Medicare won't cover if I'm in another country. Portugal is somewhere I never considered, but has apparently become popular with ex-pats. (If I remember correctly, there are areas where Americans have made their own little enclaves.) The cost of living is low, the people are friendly and mostly speak English, and the surroundings are beautiful. You can even buy their national health insurance at a reasonable price. I'm looking into it some more.
Robert, I’ve been reading your missive since the beginning, and appreciate your upbeat look at our circumstances. But I am not so upbeat- I could not sleep, so I’m watching reruns of SVU, on all night long. My daughter, who has lived in London for many years, and is still a citizen, has taken the first steps to becoming a British citizen now, and fears for the world her daughter will inherit. I am 78, and wonder if I will live long enough to see the pendulum swing our way again.
((( ))) (Thanks for making me smile! I needed that.)
No matter what... I would still rather be us than them. No matter what.
And won’t those true believers be surprised when Elon’s painful few years knocks them to the ground. And then they’ll need to pick vegetables or work in abattoirs to supplement their ravaged Social Security and lack of insurance.
Thanks. We needed that.
Well, one piece of good news is Fani Willis was re-elected. I was so hoping that Rick Scott would have lost his Senate seat. I felt bad for Sherrod Brown lost his seat in Ohio. Patience is a virtue we are all going to be learning.
The Eagle Nebula is awesome. I see the eagle eyes and beak. Your choice of nebula tonight symbolizes the strength and freedom of America as a country.
Thank you for your words tonight. I will be joining you putting one foot in front of the other.
Thank you. I needed this. Not giving up. Ever.
It is over.
I conclude that the electorate wants to live in a fascist country.
I give a large share of blame to the corporate media.
Those who voted for Trump are so stupid that they won’t even notice as the movers and shakers behind Trump draw and quarter them and feed their entrails to the crows.
"Wokism" goes a long way. My in-person and online engagements have largely been objections to gay marriage, trans rights, DEI, books they don't like, etc. Conservative Christians who don't even know the term Christian Nationalism, much less that they have been sucked into it, excuse literally anything now. I'm a practicing Christian myself, and I grew up in a conservative environment, but these aren't my tribe anymore.
Goodbye to Social Security and Medicare.
I never seriously thought that Trump could win again and thought Harris has run a great campaign. I feel sick to my stomach and fearful for the future.
I certainly never imagined he would finally win a popular vote. And maybe the final number will show he hasn't. If so, the electoral college has to go.
Even without the electoral college Trump won the popular vote. However, Lawrence McDonnell (MSNBC commentator) noted that many people in states that were not swing states for many years gave up voting altogether because only the swing states made the decision on who becomes president. If we eliminated the electoral college these people might come to believe that their vote would make a difference. That would increase the number of votes for candidates running for House and Senate and down ballot offices as well.
I agree. I stopped tracking numbers a while ago. Is it not possible that when the final counts catch up that he might have once again taken the EC without the popular vote? It's mindblowing that he would lose two popular votes, run the most chaotic, hateful campaign yet with his disintegration on full display and pick up votes. Unless the overall number of votes was fewer this time than in 2020. Now I suppose analysts will be picking apart whether Biden would have been the best bet after all.
Thanks, Robert. My family hasn’t given up hope!
That’s saying? “It’s always darkest before the dawn.” Just sayin’. 😎