I predicted that Trump would sweep all seven swing states. This prediction was based on the (still unexplained?) anti-Trump bias in polls. Harris polled much worse than Hillary in 2016, and a whopping 7 points worse than Biden in 2020. And, although it didn't affect the final result, I wonder how much Republican cheating there was.
But some pundits who should have known MUCH much more than I, claimed that Harris would win. Obviously I hoped they were right. Here, on the opposite side of the planet, I watched the campaigns with both hope and apprehension. I was Bemused and Amused. There was subconscious Dread which I tried to keep repressed.
Election Day unfolded as expected, and I am stunned with grief. There is an option on this Board to ban a Member from even reading the Politics forums and I may apply for that. I watch a lot of Stephen Colbert, but may need to avoid him and some others as it will just reinforce my own grief.
Many other Americans are stunned with grief. Jon Stewart had nasty words for "pollsters" -- but why are they to blame? The handwriting was on the wall given the (still unexplained?) anti-Trump bias in polls.
Who is to blame? Should we have known that too many Americans just do not want a female President? Lies from the Bullshit Machines had huge impact. It is ridiculous that the Cheneys were the only major GOPsters to support democracy. But it's tempting to place most of the blame on average Americans. It is a cliché that Americans are a stupid people but that does seem to summarize this Election.
The Great Earl of Oxford presaged this tragedy in some of his plays:
And thinking on it makes me cry 'Alas!'
Alas, poor country.
Alas poor world, what treasure hast thou lost!
Woe, alas
