"Obama Is Up, and Fans Fear That Jinxes It"...NYT article

[gypsylud]

Lots of back and forth today on DU about concern and anxiety. Lets ALL take a deep breath. This article is pretty good.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/us/politics/01angst.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1225545193-k7gFKjJfZ7mj3ZHKzfYW0g

[TexasObserver]

1. doesn't this go in the Hand Wringers Forum?

[gypsylud]

2. maybe...but

It hits both sides the "perversely impressive" way people take great news, high poll numbers and whittle it down to a deficit. and the people who have to put up with it.

[Berry Cool]

3. I think this article says something very deep about the progressive psyche.

We don't know how to be happy.

We're convinced that when things are going well, a) we don't deserve it; b) there's something we're overlooking that will result in someone snatching the goodness away from us; and c) it could happen at any moment.

Freepers? They have no problems being happy and believing they deserve that happiness. Selfishness and greed take care of any anxiety they might otherwise experience. When good things happen to them, or are made to happen for them, all they do is tell themselves that a) they deserve it because they're such great people, and besides, b) they worked hard for it--and if other people don't have it, it's only because they're lazy and/or evil.

It may actually be harder for us to accept a President Obama than a President McCain. We're USED to living with misery. It's familiar. We cling together and help each other ride it out. Obama, we will have to get used to. Probably by finding as much fault with him as we can as quickly as possible, to convince ourselves we did the wrong thing and electing him was a mistake, so we can piss and moan about it and thus return to our familiar status quo. (Yeah, as if the alternative would have been preferable!)

It's going to be an interesting four years, that's all I can say.

[gypsylud]

5. I think you're correct.

Why though? Is it because the country has been center-right since Nixon and we feel somewhat subconsciously self conscious about our desires?

[Berry Cool]

11. No, I think it's in the psychology of people attracted to liberal vs. conservative philosophy.

It has something to do with how much we think our fate in life is determined by external vs. internal forces, and whether you think the external forces are good or bad.

It's all in the combination of what you believe about what most controls your life--you or other things--and how you feel about yourself, and the universe, and how you feel about other people and how the universe treats them.

[FrenchieCat]

6. Well, when we don't have to combat a lying and omitting media

and faulty voting machines, perhaps than we will relax and enjoy!

[fishnfla]

7. God help us if he doesnt win. God help him if he does

Interesting how the article denotes "wealthy Republicans" and their worry about taxes. With the economy gone to shit, they wanna blame who?

Proof that money does not free you from misery. I am tired of listening to them complain about their taxes and painting abyone who isnt rich as socialist.

I often wonder about repukes who are not wealthy. Whats their gig? why do they carry water for the fat cats on the tax issue?

Oh yeah, god, guns, and gays.

[gypsylud]

9. don't forget ignorance and idiocy

[gypsylud]

4. How many of you see yourself or someone you know in this?

[DainBramaged]

8. We got this, it ain't about luck it's about people

WE got more than THEM.


Chill

[KharmaTrain]

10. Rarified Air

I've been closely following elections since 1964, and was too young that year to get into the nuts and bolts, but I have never seen the Democratic party in a better position going into the election as I do this year. The party stands on the right sides of virtually every major issue and is fielding a slate of strong, organized candidates. The 50-state strategy expanded the party's base and reach teamed up with the implosion of the regpunican party. The Obama campaign has run a steady, focused campaign from the outset and it's far out organized Camp Gramps...Hillary ran a far more formidable campaign than Gramps...and we're about to see all this hard work pay off.

That said, I remain cautiously optimistic. Yes, something can happen and, like many others, I won't breathe easy until the votes are counted. Many here remember the heartbreak of 2004...especially on DU...and are not gonna get that wrapped up again. The bottom line is that most of us have worked very hard on this thing and in a few days, this thing will be out of our hands...and no matter what, I've been both impressed and inspired by the response of the progressive netroots.

Cheers...