Yes, (sob) the Patriots came up a bit short. Did you think they would just waltz into victory? Did you believe the “experts'" predictions?

The New England press/TV gang jumped on the Pats bandwagon, stoking our hopes that the new quarterback would follow the lead of the old GOAT guy and bring us another ring. FYI. Media “experts” tell us what we want to hear. That is what they are paid to do. You get one viewpoint on FOX, and another on MSNOW. Your phone does the same thing. Once you click on a post, dozens of similar posts will suddenly appear.

Well, once again, the real-world football players out-hustled the pundits, and the West Coast football team settled the argument. For our guys, it is wait until next year. But all is not lost, the Pats did make it to the championship game, and that ain’t chopped liver.

In politics, the polls seem to indicate Republicans are in trouble as they face a midterm licking and the possible loss of control of the House. If that happens, predict some pundits, the Democrats might mount another impeachment of DJT. If they win control of the Senate, he could be convicted this time. 

Is that likely? If this is how you are thinking, it is time to halt. Just stop. Right now. It is too early to bet on the outcome of an election scheduled for November. The political map may change between now and November. No, hold that prediction. The political landscape will change between now and November.

Why? You pick the possible reason. We could be in a shooting war with Iran over atomic weapons, or battling with our friends in Denmark over (gulp) Greenland. China could move against Taiwan, triggering a war in the Pacific. We don’t have a clue how the White House’s massive immigrant deportation plans will affect voters. Today's polls (if you believe them) say 65% of Americans don’t like the way ICE is carrying out its mission. But that may change, as many Americans support strict border controls and generally back law enforcement efforts to jail the real bad guys.

The Epstein files could change the political landscape. Already, they are torpedoing the reputations of big shots from English princes (Andrew) to a Maine icon (George Mitchell). The files are filled with explosive political drones that could run DJT out of office, like Watergate ended the Nixon presidency.

Here in the Pine Tree State, five-term GOP senator Susan Collins is in the fight of her political life as she navigates a state that rejected DJT three times. Will voters reward her for delivering fat pork projects for BIW and local shipyards? Will this help her overcome the state’s perceived anti-Trump bias? Over her career, she has attended thousands of local events and sipped tea at hundreds of households earning her lots of good will. Will it help her win another “W”? The polls rank both Democratic Party Senate hopefuls, Gov. Janet Mills and oyster farmer/harbormaster Graham Platner, as strong challengers.

The late Massachusetts Congressman Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local.“ Will that slogan prevail in an age where the national online conversation seems to overwhelm the wants, needs and hopes of the locals?

Other political experts(?) say economic issues will hold the key to the November ballot. We see reports that billionaires are opening their wallets to influence us all. And heaven knows what AI will bring us.

On both sides, the party leaders are aging. We watched the last presidential election turn into a dumpster fire when one candidate had a senior moment. We saw his once keen mind turn into jello. Who might be next?

So, Dear Readers, what can we do? What can we do to help our side win come next November?

Last Friday evening, I joined a hundred-plus neighbors at an open stage night at the wonderful Boothbay Harbor Opera House. One performer suggested we join him in singing the great Woody Guthrie anthem, and the audience agreed. The room warmed as they sang: “This land is your land. This land is my land. This land was made for you and me."

Woody was right. This is our land, whether we are red or blue, MAGA type or progressive-liberal, or like to hit the ball straight down the middle. It is a time when the opinion of an ordinary Joe gets the same media exposure as that of a renowned credentialed expert.

But I’ll let you in on a secret. The next election will not be won by slick slogans and snotty internet retorts. It will be won by committed folks who organize, identify likely voters, and get them to the polls.

And that, Dear reader, is how American elections are won.