CT Blue

Nate Silver has Obama’s chances at greater than 75%, so I am going to indulge myself a bit here.

Back in 1960, John F. Kennedy said “Do you realize the responsibility I carry? I’m the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House. ” I remember reading that quote long ago, and sure enough, he either said it, or it’s been repeated often enough that he might as well have.

I recall that now because it occurs to me that this may be the first time since 1960 that we get to exult at the defeat of a truly loathsome Republican candidate. I can’t count Goldwater among the loathsome, since he was a man of integrity, even if his political views were fresh out of the 18th century. But since then, the only Republicans we’ve managed to beat we’re the relatively non-loathsome: Ford, Bush 1, Dole and McCain, while the truly loathsome: Nixon, Reagan and Bush 2 have won. It’s beginning to look like this particular losing streak is going to go by the boards. Certainly Romney belongs among the loathsome, and barring some catastrophic event, we’ll have reason to celebrate the night of the 6th.

Should anyone doubt Romney’s bona fides for membership in the dubious pantheon of loathsomeness, consider his response to his declining fortunes. Some men might try to salvage at least some dignity when they see the writing on the wall, but not Romney, or the equally loathsome Ryan. Whether it’s lying about the auto companies, bringing back the already debunked welfare lie, attempting to capitalize on tragedy with a phony disaster relief event, or slowing those relief efforts for the sake of a photo-op, there is no depths to which Romney-Ryan will not sink. And remember, I’ve only mentioned their sins of the last couple of days. It’s certainly arguable that Romney is the most mendacious and least principled man ever to win a major party nomination for president.

So there will be a special sweetness to savor on Tuesday if Nate is right. Here in Connecticut we may be able to double our pleasure, if Chris Murphy manages to end the political career of the also loathsome Linda McMahon.

But my Republican readers, should I still have any, have nothing to fear. There is an inexhaustible supply of loathsome Republicans to take their places. To pick only two of many, consider Steve King who feels we must take especial care to make sure we hurricane victims don’t use relief funds to buy “gucci bags”, or Congressional Candidate John Koster, who feels incest is rare and we’re making entirely too much out of this “rape thing”. (What is it that draws these Republicans to rape gaffes like moths to a flame?) Yes, there are a lot of them out there, and they’re getting more loathsome all the time. The scary thing is, one of these years one of them will win, but this year, at least, we’ll pick a few off.