We dared to dream on the night (abetted by pundits), but it was never going to happen. You didn't need an exit poll, just take a look at the smug smirk that never left Karl Rove's face. His strategy of putting a vote on gay marriage on to the ballot in key states was brilliant. This ensured the bigot vote was out and counted. The democrats had nothing in comparison.
The argument that "our candidate won the debates" is a Bartlet fantasy which might play well in New York or LA, but not in Tennessee. Elections are a land war not a moot court. The Republicans went house to house, church to church; preying on people's fears, pandering to their prejudices. That's how they took the country.
To be fair though, the Rebublicans did have a considerable amount of help from a completely inept Democrat challenge. It is reasonable to argue that, Rove aside, the Republicans didn't win, the Democrats lost. Instead of wringing their hands and wailing over the injustice of it all they should be holding their heads in shame at their failure. How could they not take Ohio?
