Don't count your chickens ...

The Mail & Guardian ^ | 10/27/8 | JONATHAN FREEDLAND

[SmithL]

A little shudder went through me every time they said it. "President Obama's first priority will be this," they would begin. Or, "The Obama administration will find that?" Travelling in the United States last week, I lost count of the pundits, experts and Democratic insiders I heard speak with such confidence. And each time they did, I felt the urge to mutter: "Presuming he wins."

Call it superstition, but it's one rooted in years of unhappy experience. After the British general election of 1992, or the Al Gore and John Kerry defeats of 2000 and 2004, the centre-left has surely learned that you don't count your chickens till they're hatched, squawking and deep into middle age. Which is why I won't believe an Obama presidency is possible until the morning of November 5 -- and even then I'll wait till inauguration day on January 20, just to be sure.

This is not fully rational. But who said elections are rational? . . .

[cdga5for4]

I actually think hearing President Obama repeated early and often actually helps McCain. Hearing President Barack Obama moves the bar from “exciting young candidate” to “holy crap, what have we done.”

[Nonstatist]

Another Communiat whines..

[Minn]

That sounds far-fetched: after all, George W Bush only won in 2000 thanks to a single vote on the supreme court and the Democrats did not hesitate to salute him as the commander in chief.

Of course not. We all remember how gracious in defeat they were.

[Radagast the Fool]

These kind of comments remind me of the immortal “Only God could sink this ship!”

[moose2004]

“President Barack Obama moves the bar from “exciting young candidate” to “holy crap, what have we done.””

Or the words, “Do you Barack Hussein Obama swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America....”

[ExSoldier]

I remember watching the faces on the RATs at the Kerry campaign HQ on election day all wildly excited as the early returns indicated a decisive win. Then they slowly changed. First there was disbelief and then denial then sheer panic and massive grief. As the Bible says: Much weeping and gnashing of teeth. Here's praying for a repeat of that moment. However, if the OBAMANATION does win, I won't be grief stricken or even remotely worried. I figure he'll be like 21 other one term Presidents and he may well effect the total destruction of his own party in the process. I also think that an Obama win says in a pretty declarative fashion given the current (and immediate future) interesting times, that the RAPTURE is drawing very near and that's something to rejoice about.

[caseinpoint]

Well, let’s just cancel the election, what say? I think just the hubris involved, by the campaign or its willing accomplice, the MSM, may make people vote for McCain just to prove their vote actually counts when it’s cast.

[BushMeister]

I agree. And if Obama plans to give his 30-minute speech from a setting that mimics the oval office, I’m sure that many voters will say “Whoa! Do I really want this guy in that position of power?”

[UCANSEE2]

[7thson]

Maybe a little off topic, maybe not. A week ago I was watching Forest Gump in a hotel room. Remember the scene when Forest and Lt. Dan were out shrimping, they came into port and released their net. A toilet set and about two shrimp fall out and Lt. Dan sneeringly say - "Where's this God of yours?" Forest then says, "It's funny Lt. Dan said that because right around that time, God showed up."

God always has a unique way of showing up. Humans expect the Old Testament God, fire and brimstone, parting the seas, whirlwinds and such. Most of us can't recognize or appreciate the subtle shifts that signify God is in our lives.

Whatever happens is part of the plan. Our job is to work in order to make others see the plan.

[PGR88]

More leftist clap-trap about laissez-faire markets being discredited.

What nonsense. The housing and mortgage market rules were set up by the US Government, along with the nearly explicit backing of Fannie and Freddie to back-stop loan issuers. When the Fed turned on the money spigots in the late 90’s and after 9/11, the money flowed into sub-prime mortgages exactly the way the channels had been dug.

There was nothing “laissez-faire” about this.

[Red in Blue PA]

Re: the Democrats did not hesitate to salute him as the commander in chief.

What station was he watching?

[Tallguy]

Sometimes known as “Spiking the Ball on the 5-yardline”... and yes, the Democrats are very good at it.

[greccogirl]

Look what Jimmy Carter did for conservatives. After four years of Obama, another conservative will take all the states but one, as well...........

[damper99]

After four years of Obama, taking 49 states won’t be an option. Voters will have been well intimidated by then and most will hide and not vote. Enough of the population will be getting their piece of the pie that we will never be able to turn back to 2008.

[Americanchild]

Why does he have the reciever upside-down? Is there a story behind this picture?

[UCANSEE2]

Notice the clock on the wall?

[ExSoldier]

Look what Jimmy Carter did for conservatives.

Yup, folks in despair mode ought never forget that we had to have Jimmy-The-Peanut Carter before we could reap the glory of Ronald Reagan. I do believe Joe Biden when he says that Obama will be tested by a serious international crisis within the first 6 months. For Carter that would have been the Iranian hostage crisis which he bolloxed up just royally. They weren't released until Reagan had his hand on the Bible.