The no-drama/no head-in-the sand state of the race open thread
I'm hoping this can be a thoughtful thread for rationally discussing where the race currently stands without the "sky is falling" or "she is winning this, period (Of which I have been a very active member of, I will admit)" histrionics. I'll start.
Today it was revealed that Hillary has started spending money and visit time again in her firewall states. Some have taken this to mean that things might be falling apart. I don't. I think she is being pragmatic.
See, from what I've read and seen, Clinton currently has a solid 272 EV. However, never before have we seen a domestic state actor (FBI) and a foreign state actor (WikiLeaks and the Russian connection) actively pursue electoral interference with what appears to be 100% support by our media outlets. It is unprecedented and it is, frankly, terrifying. It also complicates the map in very close toss-up states.
And now, the Clinton campaign faces an awful choice--expand the map and run up the score or spend time and effort to make sure that 272 stays blue over the next 6 days. And that means working hard on getting out the early voting where applicable to bank votes no matter what those state actors try to throw these last 6 days. It is clear that Clinton has decided some time should be spent keeping the firewall firmly intact at the expense of some time trying to run up the score.
And I think this means Clinton is going to win, even if it by just a few EVs, because spending that time in the firewall will make it a very hard nut to crack.
But, I think our hope for a controlled Senate may be the victim of this strategy. To ensure winning the presidency means not putting in as much time where down-ballot races are very, very close. Two weeks ago this appeared to be a wave election. Now it appears that there is a very real chance that we take the presidency but end up at 49-51 in the Senate. That would suck, but we need to guarantee Trump never gets in the White House above all else.
I just want this election to be over at this point. It has been exhausting, unique and sickening in many ways. I want to see this brought home, and I trust that it will happen.
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