Did democracy survive (this round)?

Certainly, the news from Pennsylvania, perhaps the state most at risk, could hardly have been better. Doug Mastriano, perhaps the most dangerous man in America, went down to a defeat so crushing that even he might have trouble claiming it was stolen. And Fetterman won. Best of all, after a smooth, linear, and speedy vote count. And Mehmet Oz did perhaps the first decent thing he’s done all year by graciously conceding.

 And encouraging words about a possible Dem takeover of the PA house of Representatives. Which would, among other things, put paid to the anti-abortion/voter ID/gubernatorial power stripping constitutional amendment.

 Outside Pennsylvania, many (not all) of the election denying candidates for state office went down in flames. Maine. Kansas. Michigan. Wisconsin.

 A smooth and almost glitch-free day to vote in many places.

 One by one, the excuses that “we were robbed” are being dismantled.

 Best of all, some of the defeated Republicans even conceded defeat. So far at least, no militia activity in the streets. No kidnappings or assassinations.

 Its surely a sign of how far we’ve fallen that things most civilized countries consider the basic baseline of civilization have become worthy of praise in our country.

 And considering the possibilities, the results in Senate, House, and Governor races have been stunning. What could have been a 40-seat loss in the House seems likely to be a loss of 10 or so, and there’s a good chance of holding the Senate – which would mean Biden gets to appoint another 80-90 federal judges.

We’re still a profoundly divided country, 30% of whose residents are no-bones-about-it racists and deniers. The majority of Republicans have been fed – and believe – ridiculous things, including that Democrats are an evil satanic cult intent on destroying democracy and grooming your children. We still have one House of Congress whose majority party is made up of proud election deniers and one branch of government seemingly intent on erasing most gains of the 20th century.

 But one election night went well. Let’s enjoy that.