Sunday Salon -- Positive energy

Mom, age 95, and her cousin-in-law, age 99, reuniting at the Oregon vs. Illinois football game yesterday.

Weather: I am writing this post early because I will be traveling again this weekend. So I can only generally report that the weather has turned, or is turning to fall weather. Cool nights have meant we added another blanket to the bed but still keep the window open. On Tuesday it was sunny during the day but cloudy off in the foothills so we couldn't see Mt. Rainier. Almost time to hunker down. It is good football weather. It was sunny and warm during the football game yesterday. In fact, I worried about getting a sunburn.

Why I'm feeling positive energy about the upcoming election: I hope that my enthusiasm rubs off on you. I know it is hard not to wring our hands and stress out with all negative news about the "horse race." Here are some pieces of information which have helped me calm down a bit.

1. Start here with PoliticsGirl (4 min. 30 sec.) She sums up why Harris is winning.

2. Economy. Here is what Bart Starr, Jr., economist, found. After reading this you will see historically how much better the economy has done under Democrats over Republicans. (With all kinds of cool graphs.) Even Trump said (years ago) “It just seems the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans.”

 3. Enthusiasm is on the Dems side. Remember 2016 when Hillary was doing fine, but Trump had all the enthusiasm on his side? Well, the tables have turned. "Since Kamala stormed onto the scene, the script has flipped.  She has drawn packed crowds everywhere and the enthusiasm has been off the charts.  We are hungry, hungry to save our Democracy.  And Kamala Harris is the perfect messenger.   Trump rallies, on the other hand, have the creepy feeling of a crypt." Need more evidence? Watch Beyonce with Kamala at a rally in Houston.

4. Likeability. The past two elections show that plenty of voters who don’t approve of Trump’s character will support him anyway. But favorability can make a difference in a close race—and Harris‘ rating is much higher than Trump’s. According to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, Harris has a net favorability rating of -0.6 percent, while Trump’s is at -8.8 percent. Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, is the only candidate on either ticket with a positive favorability rating.

5. Trends. Not polls but trends predict the winners and Stuart Stevens is very bullish on Harris winning the race. (Vanity Fair, Oct. 23, 2024)

6. Early voting. 61-37% Harris Walz. At least 35% of the GOP voters are crossing over.

And then there are these encouraging helpers.

A. Michelle Obama (start at 12.30 minutes)

B. Meidas Touch: GOP Voters give Trump fatal news about Early Voting Stats.

C. Tim Walz. This guy is a gem. Watch his jogging interview:

D. Endorsements by so many people. I especially like this song, The People's House, which Bon Jovi released with his endorsement. 

 When We Vote We Win!

 

Books: Don and I are currently listening to Shakespeare: The Man Who Paid the Rent by Judi Dench. It is definitely not the usual memoir. It is all about the plays Dench has acted in with insights about acting, other actors, her family, etc. It is wonderful to listen to as she quotes lines from the plays and Shakespeare's sonnets. I'm also listening to Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin and reading Orbital by Samantha Harvey.

This past week I finished Dept.of Speculation by Jenny Offill; The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami; and Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout.

I'm gearing up for Novella November.

Science: We took out grandson to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle on Thursday and had so much fun exploring science with him. I close with this funny photo of Ian looking into a parabolic mirror.

-Anne