Eugene Robinson: Can we please just fast-forward to Election Day?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON — Make it stop. Won’t somebody, please, make it stop?

I realize my plea is in vain. We have three more weeks of this appalling spectacle in which a ridiculous comic-book villain — a cross between the Joker and the Penguin — is trying his best to destroy American democracy. Yes, Donald Trump, I’m talking about you.

Three weeks. That’s normally the blink of an eye, but the time between now and Election Day yawns like an eternity. How many new outrages will test our capacity to be outraged? How many more quisling Republicans will stand before microphones and pretend their party’s nominee for president is fit for the office? How many early-morning tweetstorms will a certain set of unusually short fingers unleash upon a weary and anxious nation?

Look, I happen to believe Hillary Clinton would be a good president. You may disagree, but no one seriously doubts her ability to do the job. By contrast, does anyone really believe it would be safe, let alone wise, to put someone as impulsive and thin-skinned as Trump in command of the most powerful military machine the world has ever known? The thought would be laughable if it were not so frightening.

So yes, this is a scary election. And no, it is not safe to take anything for granted. The bottom should have fallen out from under Trump’s poll numbers long ago, but it hasn’t. For those who see Trump the way I do, it is unfathomable that he would have the support of 40 voters, let alone 40 percent of the electorate.

http://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/robinson-can-we-please-just-fast-forward-to-election-day/

[Madam45for2923]

1. As a country we will get through this together!

Right now is one step at a time, but at least now we see the end.

[ailsagirl]

2. Profound words by a remarkable man

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
-Nelson Mandela

[Moostache]

3. He's 100% correct...40 voters would be understandable...

40%?

Those people are going to be the ones who have to reflect on their choice and choose to either do what I suspect most will do - which is pretend that they did NOT vote for him and play it up that they really were opposed to him all along

[livetohike]

4. K&R

[chillfactor]

5. Love Eugene...

he hit the nail on the head.....like him I just want this election over...each day is a struggle to maintain any sense of normalcy with t'rump's outrageous, despicable behavior.

[Martin Eden]

7. This "appalling spectacle" is an embarrassment to American democracy ...

... including the presidential debates. What little might be gained by having another one (will it change anyone's minds?) will be more than offset by demonstrating once again how sick and dysfunctional our national discourse has become.

[manicraven]

11. Been thinking the exact same thing...

Not watching this last so-called debate for two main reasons. One, I can't stand Trump in any capacity now: his snorts, his stalking, his hand gestures, his continual in-our-face lies, or his voice. Two, he provides little to no information whatsoever and is simply there to attack Hillary personally (or Bill, or Miss Universe, or the media, or international bankers, or minorities, or the women who spoke up, or Billy Bush, or the GOP itself) because he really has no command of the issues outside of a few Breitbart talking points, which are all conspiracies or factually inaccurate. So, it's a waste of time and makes me cranky.

[Martin Eden]

16. I can't look, and I can't not look

It's a train wreck, horrible but fascinating. It is also, sadly, what's going on in our democracy. As much as it makes me feel like puking, I have to know.

I'd rather the "debate" not take place, but if it does I can't bury my head in the sand.

[Martin Eden]

8. "Clinton could have a more meaningful policy discussion with an Irish setter."

(referring to the upcoming presidential debate)

[Maeve]

17. Best line of the piece!

Setters are calm, thoughtful dogs...

[Wounded Bear]

9. You know what? I'm going to disagree...

If we hold the election now, the Senate is a probable, but with a bit more time, we might pick up a couple more seats.

Local/state elections are just going into their debate seasons. Perhaps a few more House seats are in play than the experts can see.

I think we need to use the next three weeks. Looks like the Clinton campaign agrees.

Besides, I don't want to win with 325, I want to win 40+ states and push 400 EV. I want the Trumplodytes to see just how few and impotent they really are on the national stage.

Screw "vote now." I'm feeling greedy.

[TeamPooka]

10. I agree. It will be here soon enough. GOTV!! Every day counts.

[ffr]

14. Not greedy. Righteous.

This is what a smart candidate would look to do.

[Orsino]

12. "Slowah! Slowah! It's too nice a job ta rush!"

Seriously, I'm willing to keep watching Trump's daily faceplants, though I can understand anyone's feeling that we shouldn't be doing this at all.

[ffr]

13. I disagree with this premise. 3 weeks is what we need to turn red states blue

This takes time and we need this time. Especially because there are already record numbers of voters registered this election cycle. They'll need time to EV and absentee. We all know there won't be enough time on election day for every democrat to vote. Republicans have already seen to it that democratic districts will see bottlenecks and long lines.

EARLY VOTE. VOTE ABSENTEE. BE COUNTED. DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO GET YOUR VOTE IN BEFORE NOVEMBER 8TH, if you can at all help it!!!

[Fluke a Snooker]

15. Personally, I'd fast forward to the Supreme Court filled with five progressives

Then President Clinton will fully have her back on any progressive executive order she wishes, like banning drilling and mandating a federal minimum wage. With five progressives, they can mandate the caseload as well as determine the certiorari criteria, effectively taking ANY case in the Federal system without need of intervening opinions and courts. That will be the day we can finally get rid of the oppression that has occurred for over 500 years.

By the way: Yes, they can make their own rules with regard to cert. My law class has been discussing such ramifications with several individuals. In particular, they can activate a coordinated effort of all the aides of the five progressive justices to smooth over the transition.