I’m so hopeful, suddenly. Walz is such a positive addition to the ticket – and he’s a Social Studies teacher! He understands not just how government is *supposed* to work, but how it *actually* works. A president and vice-president who both know the system well? Wow, the possibilities!

I didn’t know much about him before, but everything I’ve been reading makes me very optimistic! I mean, yes, everyone please vote, take nothing for granted, but it’s all feeling much better than it did a month ago.

YES! I am hoping, but also yes, never take it for granted, and vote, and encourage others to vote!

In 2016, with the massive “she doesn’t deserve your vote” targeted social media ad campaign, combined with unenthusiasm, combined with “eh, she’ll get elected even if I don’t go vote for her”… we know *exactly* what that resulted in. So: if you run into social media bots or people going “ehhhh she’s not good enough on [Palestine/climate/gun control]” then remind everyone watching that even if we’d like something-or-other, our choice is not between a theoretical perfect candidate, but between Harris and Trump, and *Trump would be demonstrably worse* on nearly every issue and if we go “meh” and don’t get out to vote, 1. we are being played by Trump (and probably Putin again), and 2. we will end up with Trump again, and that was… not good.

(but also: I am very excited about this! It’s just that I saw rumblings after Harris got enough delegates, and I assume the Disaffection Machine will be trying *really* hard, and say it for the people in the back: not voting leads to Trump, and possibly a lack of elections, whereas Harris leads towards at least *some* problems being fixed and towards better policies and towards a continuation of democracy and this is a Very Good Thing.)

(but also: I love that they can be serious, and that they have smart people advising them and not a crew of yes men, and that they’ve each got decades of solid experience, but ALSO it is just so nice seeing happiness!)

Yes! All the yeses! I’m excited learning about Walz and his experience, decision-making, voting, all of it. Yes, even the old DUI. He’s human. Vote like your life depends on it.

We are hopeful.