Making a Difference...That is What It is All About!

Various pundits and political talking heads have already deconstructed the 2006 elections. They know what really was behind democratic victories in the state legislatures, Governors' mansions, Senate and House of Representatives. Most contend it was Bush's failing policy in Iraq. Some believe it was H. Dean's 50 state strategy. Others point to the ongoing nosebleed of corruption. For all their pontification, I believe they are missing one of the key masterstrokes that led the democrats to victory. It was me. I take full responsibility for the democrats rising from the ashes! Let tell you how I did it.

First, I was angry at the Bush/Cheney cabal. No, I mean really angry. Anytime one of them or their minions appeared on TV, I immediately grabbed the remote and changed the channel. Meet the Press, CNN, C-Span, Imus in the Morning, wham, they were gone! It didn't matter. I had complete control of the remote. Not only did channel changing make me feel better, but it also left them without an audience to spin their vile lies and deceit.

Second, I read plenty of the liberal blogs on the net. I mean plenty. Jesus General, the Daily Kos, and ArchPundit needed an audience to push the republicans out of power. And they got one with me! I always nodded my head in agreement and grinned whenever I read their analysis or gossipy tidbits about Kenny Mehlman, Teddy Haggard or Kathy Harris.

Third, I like gay people. Unlike the social conservatives who hate the sin and the sinner, I would have voted against a ban on same sex marriage if the initiative was on the ballot in Ohio. Unfortunately, it wasn't this time. But I still would have voted against it.

Fourth, I never, I mean never watch Fox News. Brit Hume and Bill O'Reilly have nothing on me. If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there, does it make a sound? If I don't watch Fox News, then I don't have to yell back at the TV.

And finally, I actually volunteered to help out election day. The local democratic challenger's campaign gurus (average age 19) had me out canvassing for votes for most of the day. My job was to knock on doors and remind the right kind of voters to get to the polls. I did my job very well. I knocked on at least a hundred doors. Ninety-nine of those houses had no one home. I left doorhangers. You know most democrats work for a living. They are not home at 9 AM watching Jerry Springer. My preferred democratic challenger lost but the democrats won almost all the state races and the senate seat. I know it was those doorhangers that made a difference.

You see the evidence is very clear. Rahm Emmanuel can talk smack all he wants. I know I was the deciding factor in this past election. Me and my remote!