Quietly Enthusiastic

Are you an enthusiastic voter?

No?

Maybe it’s worth thinking a bit more on that simple question.

The common refrain is “I’m not enthusiastic about either candidate”, but is that really true?

Or is it actually a reflexive defense mechanism?

Speaking for myself, I know I certainly wasn’t enthusiastic. I was despondent. I was depressed. But I was also resigned. And pragmatic. My overarching concern was, and remains, the Supreme Court. Whoever is elected will shape the nature of the Supreme Court for the next thirty years (see: Supreme Issues).

And so I became a full-fledged resigned, unenthusiastic Trump voter.

I found myself embarrassed to admit I was voting for Trump and would reflexively mumble something about being in the Never Hillary camp. There was always some sort of caveat, some defense of my future vote for The Donald. Especially living here in Los Angeles (City of Angels it is not).

But somewhere along the way things changed.

As news on Hillary Clinton spilled forth from Wiki Leaks, amidst reports of pay-to-play at The Clinton Foundation, I began to get increasingly energized. After so many years of staring in disbelief at Clinton Inc. I could see the walls finally begin to crumble (see: Voices in the Wilderness). I began to get truly energized.

And my transformation began.

And, surprisingly, so did Trump’s. The candidates suddenly switched places (see: Role Reversal). Hillary began to get strident, harsh, defensive. Trump – he got energized, almost jovial. And focused. He became disciplined in his speeches, described his plans, talked about issues. He actually kept his mouth shut, stopped rambling and let Hillary carry the FBI torch for a few days. He sounded coherent, rational. Almost…presidential?

Hillary just sounded really angry. And a bit scared.

Okay. I’ll admit it. I am far more enthusiastic about Hillary losing than I am about Trump winning. But – and this is a big but – I am no longer embarrassed to say I am voting for Trump.

There. I said it. I am rooting like crazy for Trump to win.

And maybe that’s the nature of what’s changed in this election. Maybe people have become quietly enthusiastic without even realizing it.

Are you an enthusiastic voter?

Trump voters are discovering that the answer might be “Yes”.