I explained that something was rattling around in the back of my brain regarding the election and I needed some quiet time to sort it out and do some research.
From October 15th until election day, estimates are that GOP candidates ran negative ads that mentioned Ebola and ISIS and that number exceeded 1000. These ran in all markets and dovetailed nicely into the pre 10/15 staples of laying the evils of the Affordable Healthcare Act, IRS, Benghazi, NSA, lawlessness and the assault on the Constitution upon a man who wasn't on the ballot. Polling indicated that the economy was number one on the minds of voters, but I don't think so. Too obvious- too easy. No, it was something subliminal that fed fear and anxiety.
Responding to these dog whistles, most of the practicing (and keep practicing, because you need to!) media reported on this late trend, calling ISIS and Ebola the possible "October Surprises".
The main reason was that Democrats, long known for their vaunted ground game, didn't get their voters out, which didn't really matter because by this time, the exhaustion of the campaign and the coverage had all but guaranteed the subsequent result.
Anyway, it really doesn't matter. When you win, you have the right to dance in the end zone. But the game itself is long and after the glow of your success wears off, you have to govern. There are other reasons and as time permits, I'll throw a few more out, but for now, my dark choice was Ebolaisis.
See if you agree.
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