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That’s what all the French talking heads have been saying for the last 48 hours, and it cracks me up every time I hear it. Urnes are ballot boxes, and most of them said “Sarko” on Sunday (as I thought they would). But when I hear “urn,” I just think ancient Greece, coffee, and cremation. So I experience this little mental twitch whenever I hear it.

What name will the ballot boxes in the US utter in 2008? I read a lot of political analysis every day and I’m very aware of social currents in the US, and I must say there’s something that’s really bothering me. Everything I read seems to suggest that liberals/progressives (whatever the label of the day is) in the US just assume that they’ll take over next year. That it’s a done deal. They seem to be basing this on a few things. One, because they won a majority in the Congressional elections in 2006, two, because Giuliani is a scumbag and McCain is absurd and three, because the polls say about 70% of Americans don’t approve of Bush.

Hang on a minute. First of all, that Congressional win was so narrow that it’s been useless where it’s most needed, which is in ending the war. Second of all, the Republican candidate next year doesn’t have to be viable, he just needs a pulse (remember who the President is). And don’t be fooled because some conservatives might finally, grudgingly be admitting that they’re not thrilled with Bush’s war. That in no way suggests that they’ll tolerate faggots getting married and abortion clinics popping up on every corner next to the 7/11…

I don’t think the American left and center in the US quite grasp the power of prayer… You should all be very afraid. There is absolutely no guarantee you won’t have another Republican in office next year. The right is still fired up and delusional and riding high on visions of the imminent Rapture. That’ll drive them to the polls in droves! Religion is a MUCH more powerful motivator than your plain ol’ righteous (yet secular) indignation…

Dems went straight from despair to smugness after their narrow win in the Congressional elections last year. Democrats, and I mean you and me as well as the politicians, need to spend the next year and a half getting absolutely RABID about changing the political climate in the US. The Democratic party has its work cut out for it. It’s competing against God who, face it folks, appears to be better at getting out the vote than Hollywood…

And more people need to start voting! Only about 72% of American adults are even registered to vote. (90% of adults are registered to vote in France.) If getting more Democrats registered means you have to stand out in front of Target with a save the whales petition, well, maybe you should… Maybe try combining it with your Girl Scout cookie stand… Maybe dress up like a Girl Scout yourself… Whatever works.

For voters to show up, they have to be motivated. The Democratic party needs a candidate who can do that. Our last two candidates were perfectly qualified, highly intelligent, and worldly, but they came across as too cerebral and they lacked the passion (or at least the ability to show it) that’s needed to get people to the polls. (To be honest, I don’t think Hillary can generate the enthusiasm you need.)

On Sunday, the right-wing candidate won the presidential election in France. His party had been in power for 12 years (of increasing violence and economic decline) and everybody thought they’d be shown the door. But no. If the right can win here, it can win there.

So, my advice is pick your candidate wisely. Then do what you can to get people to understand how desperately their votes are needed, even though left-leaning Americans don’t seem to have a clue about just how desperate their situation is…