I consider the perceptions of "average America", and especially the independents, the best harbinger of how the election will turn out. It's a basic fact of the democratic process that perceptions are the only thing that count: People vote based what they think they know. That I or Tom might be able to "prove" with "hard facts" and pretty graphs that they're dead wrong doesn't change a damn thing.

There are lots of perceptions that are going to influence that group beyond the nastiness of politics in Washington, with the economy and jobs at the top of the list. But there's every sign that that pivotal group is getting more and more fed up with hyperpartisanship and understand that it's contributing to all the other problems; and will start more and more to punish the politicians they perceive as putting party before country. It won't change overnight, and the effect will probably be small this election, but the trend lines are reason for guarded optimism.

Yep, I'm sorry to see Senator Snowe driven out of the Senate. That's a sign of how deep the rot goes. How many more experienced and competent legislators can the country lose before we bring the Idiocracy to pass? I hope I'm right that the tide is slowly turning.