An Edited Version of "Are the Dems Actually Smiling?" (re-posted below) is scheduled to appear in Letters to the Editor in the New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/29/us/politics/kamala-harris-white-dudes.html

(Liberal 'White Dudes' Rally for Harris: "Its Like a Rainbow of Beige")

Wait, are we really allowed to smile?

It has seemed so long since the sun shined on this party. The euphoria of 2008 and the imminent death of the Republican party replaced for the past decade with the insufferable Mr. Trump and his bombast. Even when the Dems won it felt like we were on the defensive.

But now, with the weight of Mr. Biden off our shoulders, we are almost giddy. And for the first time in forever it seems we control the narrative. No longer merely responding to the bully's taunts, but letting go with a zinger or two of our own. No longer just wringing our hands and holding our heads, but throwing punches and taking selfies.

We know this is too good to last and that political cycles have exceedingly short shelf lives (remember the ear bandaged Republican convention).

But it does feel awfully nice to be, dare I say it, almost happy with the way things are going. Please don't pinch me and tell me it is but a dream.?