Editor's Note: From the Back Forty is Liberty Nation's longest running and most popular weekly column.
The winds of change began to blow through the Appalachians, across the prairies, and over the great Midwest. Flyover folks, a cautious bunch, believe they see light at the end of the tunnel after a tumultuous political year. Vice President Kamala Harris is losing the support of major news outlets, and talk of the Electoral College and the popular vote is on the tongues of left-wing pundits and politicians. Is Donald Trump poised for a major MAGA win once again?
More October Surprises
Once a legend in journalism, one Swamp-based news outlet has determined it would be better off harnessing its power and influence by not endorsing a presidential candidate. Before 1976, the prestigious paper had a strict policy of staying on the sidelines, reporting the news, and not promoting the candidate. However, the ill-fated selection of Jimmy Carter over Gerald Ford turned it into a political influencer that has endorsed Democratic candidates ever since – except for Michael Dukakis, of course.
Melissa Boll Stratman in St Louis said: "It's pretty obvious why they won't."
The famed outlet has claimed it wanted to return to its "roots." Could there be "root causes" driving the decision? More than a week ago, the Los Angeles Times announced it would not weigh in this year by issuing an endorsement. "Because they know Kamala is bad juju," explained Kathy Understeller Browning of Amelia, OH.
Trump Inches Past Kamala
The RealClearPolitics forecast shows that, right now, Trump is predicted to win in every battleground state, giving him 312 Electoral College votes to Harris' 227. But again, polls can be notoriously off the mark if one remembers 2016. This past week, CNN's Harry Enten lined up the steps for Republican nominee Donald Trump to "make history" on Election Day, adding the popular vote to his winnings. If that were to happen, and it’s still a big if, number 45 would become the first Republican nominee in two decades to pull that off.
"Harris in the average poll right now is up by 1, well within the margin of error. You go back four years ago, Joe Biden was well ahead of Donald Trump in the popular vote polls. He was up by 9. Even Hillary Clinton was up by 6 points, so now Donald Trump's in a position he really hasn't been before at this point in the campaign where he could truly compete and can truly say at this point that the popular vote is way too close to call," Enten said.
In Texas, Marc Connor agreed, adding: "I believe that we are going to see a repeat of an election like Ronald Reagan when he won. America going all red." But Connor's comments of a win had folks who don't believe in counting chickens before the eggs hatch squirming. Teresa Wolfe in Goshen, IN, warned: "Cannot count on a red wave--remember 2022? VOTE."
In the swing state of Las Vegas, Ryan Shaun Cadavona Viloria spoke up: "He needs to win the electors. Popular vote will not do. Get out there and vote. I'm not getting my hopes up again."
Signs, Signs, Everywhere the Signs
Republicans have traditionally preferred to go to the polls on election day, but Donald Trump has asked his supporters to vote early this cycle. His request seems to have been answered: In Florida, Republicans lead Democrats in early and mail-in voting combined. But what is somewhat surprising is bright royal blue Miami-Dade County is turning red: Republicans have the +17.1% advantage on early in-person voting. Democrats, on the other hand, have a 13.2% edge on mail-in votes.
Another Hoosier, Kevin Downs, knows why: "I would expect that more Floridians want to keep more of their paychecks than need abortions or sex changes in prison."
If you read between the lines, there are more indications of a Trump win, but common sense tells heartlanders to be prepared for a concession speech and chaos. Overconfidence might lessen the desire to vote.
"Let's not count our chickens before they've hatched. The last thing we need is complacency in the last couple of weeks of the election," cautioned Christopher Lee in Kentucky. "There's still a lot of voting left, and we need to finish strong." Yes, heartlanders like the farm adages.
No matter your choice of candidate, America needs you to vote based on your conscience and beliefs and what would be best for the good of everyone and not just a few. And that's why From the Back Forty gives Jim Cochran of Greenwood, IN, the last word this week: "Have you read the oath of office that presidents recite? It's brief, powerful, and elegant. Their job is to PRESERVE and DEFEND the constitution. Your job is to vote like your Constitutional Republic depends on it."
