The only difference here MAY be that people could be awakening in sufficient numbers to change things--as long as we actually count ballots.  Politicians seem to be under the impression that we do--when the turn-out is big enough.  

I just hope Obama can figure it out in time. NOT because I am so enamoured of him, but because fixing the mess would be easier with Dems in control of all three elective bodies. Continuing to forebear much beyond January, 2010 will likely doom the Dems in the fall and I see little chance of improvement with a divided House and fewer Democratic Senators.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."