I don't think that is pessimistic, but pretty much what all of us expect to happen. I hope the Dems are up for it. We got some good players in the game last night at least.
So the referendum I mentioned earlier actually passed handily, which was a very big shock. The campaign against dwarfed even the governors race here, it is a big, big deal.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/11/04/election-2025-virginia-beach/
No, there isn't. Populism by definition is simple answers to complex questions. Providing needed services and checking power is just basic governance.
They are literally emblematic of what I said has to happen? Straightforward, engaged, not a billion years old, speaking to actual concerns voters have without getting mired in inane sideshows. I hope the Dems continue down that path.
So I actually won a case of wine on a bet that within 20 years of leaving office Bush would not be considered our worst President. I wasn't envisioning what we got, but I knew Bush wouldn't be as villified.
As far as Cheney, @Bozo_Casanova is correct, and the reason is Cheney is a true believer. It was not an act.
The biggest surprise of the night for me will be if our local ballot referendum passes. There's stupid money trying to rig the city council to disenfranchise minority representation. So far it's actually looking like it's gonna pass, but it's very close.