In less than 72 hours

I just looked up at my clock and realized there's less than 72 hours until the polls close. It is finally here.

It's been a pretty wacky campaign season; all you need are a few key words to conjure up what we've been through: Foley, Vernon Robinson, Black and Decker, Iraq, John Kerry (regrettably)...the list goes on.

The fat lady hasn't sung yet, however. 72 hours is all Karl Rove needs, or so he says. Baghdad is being locked down for possible strife that comes after they decided to hang Saddam tomorrow. I keep my fingers crossed I don't see Speaker Black's name on the front page of the N&O. And who knows what else remains. If you had told me that an evangelical leader would be busted this week for having a three year gay relationship, or maybe even just for buying meth, I would have told you you were dreaming.

One thing is for sure: the Democratic wave is holding...for now. Polls seem to indicate we are going to have an early Christmas this year. I worry about the Saddam verdict, but even that may not be enough to stop the tide. My prediction: Congressional Majority, maybe a 51-49 majority or 50-50 tie in the US Senate, and retention of both chambers of the NC General Assembly.

I'm taking nothing for granted though; I volunteered and knocked on doors today to turn out the vote, and I'll do it again tomorrow and the next day and the next day. So should you. I can rally off a long list of candidates whose fate hangs in the balance in these last 72 hours.

They need your help. Go give it to them.