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Michael Moore was more right than I was, but not earlier, to my knowledge. I started back in February with this argument about Democrats doing well but spent much of the piece admitting where I was also wrong, especially at the very end.

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Uh, if you're done patting yourself on the back, you might want to go shake the hand of Michael Moore, who's been saying the same thing a lot longer than you have.

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Excellent analysis. Also your link back to the trouble with polling. Are these polls of any value in a time when the two parties are so evenly matched--and every outcome seems to fall within the margin of error?

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Thanks, Sam. Polls are still useful for campaigns and the public to get a GENERAL SENSE of what voters are thinking. But response rates are so low—and turnout models so faulty—they are of little use in predicting who will win.

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Jonathan, I was not surprised by the midterms. I learned a lesson a few years ago from one of the smartest people I know. Pony Bob is an actor and horse trainer, not a pundit, but he always says, "don't watch the polls, watch the women." And he's usually right.

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Thanks, Jane. But what exactly did Pony Bob mean?

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Jon, He meant women often have their own reasons to vote that they don't broadcast. Reproductive health care/abortion these days. Peace issues during the Vietnam War (he's a VN vet). He advocates men talking to the women they know.

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Nov 12, 2022·edited Nov 13, 2022Liked by Meredith

Yes, the fate of democracy was a key driver for Dem turnout. Of course, Finchem was the dreaded heavy in the narrative. But jeez! This damn election was such a squeaker that I'm starting to believe that Abe Lincoln himself was pulling the strings! You've just described a harrowing election night like no other.

And thanks to you, Jon, for showing all the reasons to stay hopeful in the runup to Nov. 8.

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Thanks for your loyal readership, JoAnne!!

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