I am of course elated tonight. I was watching CBS this morning after going to the grocery store and getting lunch and some mini bottles of prosecco in preparation for a big announcement. I thought the Army/Air Force game was going to be on but I found out after I checked that it was canceled. CBS News happened to break in during some "E/I" programs I was enjoying to announce their call in the Presidential election. I had a toast with my first mini bottle of prosecco and after watching for a bit took a walk and waited for the Florida Georgia game. That didn't go the way I wanted so I flipped around until NBC Nightly News which came on before the Clemson Norte Dame game. After learning the game would move to the USA Network while NBC carried President Elect Biden's (boy that's nice to type) speech, I decided to stay with NBC and follow the score on my tablet, where I also had the Texas A&M South Carolina game playing.
Both speeches were excellent and as I watched Notre Dame defeat Clemson in the 2nd overtime, I toasted the tears of Clemson fans and trump supporters (many of whom are the same).
I want to say something to any of my republican "friends" who might read this. You need to have what I am calling a "Come to G.O.P-esus" moment.
When I was young, the republican party was known as the "big tent" party. There was room for everyone. I have made this analogy before, right now they are a "country club" party. If you're gay or an immigrant or a strong woman, particularly a woman of color; if you support reproductive freedoms, if you don't love guns; they don't want you in their club. It wasn't like that when I was young. Reagan was pro-choice. Most Republicans accepted Rape, Incest or the life of the mother as acceptable conditions for abortion. Reagan recognized that citizens had the right to own a gun for hunting and defense of the home, but that assault rifles were not necessary for either. This attack by Republicans on planned parenthood is ridiculous. Planned Parenthood provides much more than abortion services they are valuable health providers for low income women which includes women of color.
Republicans and Democrats disagreed but came together to get things done. Democratic speaker of the House when I was young was a man named Tip O'Neil. He and Ronald Reagan disagreed strongly but they got things done for the good of the country. We had bipartisanship.
Republicans are digging in their heels and hanging on to a 50s sitcom version of America that never really existed. Unless the G.O.P. recognizes and accepts that the country's demographics are changing as are attitudes on social issues they will continue to become more of a minority. Republicans want to hang on to the electoral college because it's the only way they can win without changing their ways.
And I have news for you. Kamala Harris will run for President again, whether it's 2024 if Joe Biden doesn't run for reelection, or 2028. Pete Buttigieg will run again. The future of the Democratic Party is bright and diverse. Recognize it and accept it, or keep fighting a losing battle. That's my advice. You may not like it, but that's where it stands. Ok sleep now.
