I watched the mid-term results last night with intense interest. Not because of Donald Trump, but more curious what would happen across the country in various congressional elections which would determine the balance of power in the House.
Even though my nephews and I stumbled across a Drew Edmondson fundraiser last Tuesday at Fassler’s Hall–I knew he really didn’t have a chance because I thought outside of Oklahoma County he would get killed in Oklahoma’s rural counties which supported Donald Trump in record numbers. I knew Kevin Stitt would win because he was attached at the hip to Trump. I knew this because the very same thing happened to moderate Mick Cornett in this summer’s GOP runoff.
What we’re seeing in America with Trump isn’t really North and South. It’s not really liberals vs. conservatives, but it’s more urban versus rural. It’s one face of America which represents the realistic future demographic of the country as opposed to another face of the country going back to the 1930’s with protectionism, the lack of democratic coalitions which were formed in WWII, the Marshall Plan, and basically the lack of societal diversity.
When Trump supporters wear those stupid ball caps they embarrass themselves. They show they have no idea what America is and how it got here as the greatest diverse democracy in the history of mankind.
The thing which stunned me though was that in the congressional district in which I live…Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district, a Democrat by the name of Kendra Horn stunned GOP incumbent Steve Russell. This is the first time in my voting lifetime a Dem has won this congressional seat. Nate Silver’s website Five Thirty Eight gave Kendra Horn a 7% chance of winning yesterday morning.
Do you believe in miracles?
Holy shit! Who would have thought in this political dumpster fire shithole this could happen? This place which elected Mary Fallin…twice as their governor.
Who could have possibly seen this coming?
I owe both Russell Westbrook and Paul George an apology because I told both of them to get their sons out of this place because of this lack of diverse thought. But I was clearly wrong. You don’t have to move to Toronto or Wash Park in Denver to experience progressive thinking or fairness if you’re not white.
I just finished reading Mick Cornett’s book, The Next American City. It was a great read and one every citizen in or around Oklahoma City should take the time to read. What it made me realize is that in small pockets of urban life across this country amazing things can get done with conservatives and liberals working together to make their communities better. Tip O’Neil once said, “All politics are in fact local.” Circle that quote moving forward.
So here I sit this morning not at all concerned about Donald Trump and his Twitter account. Maybe I don’t have to move to Toronto or Denver. I sit here literally stunned, but in a good way. Who would have known Oklahoma’s 5th congressional district was the mecca of progressive thinking in America.
I had no idea my fellow Oklahomans in this district felt this way. I just assumed they were Trump zombies wearing stupid hats.
This is why our constitution and democracy are still something worth fighting for.
Kendra Horn, thanking you for reminding me of this. Thank you for fighting.
Good surprise!