Don't get me wrong. I love all the optimistic polls and all

But even if I see one with Trump in fractions and the Democrats at 99+%, we should not lose sight of the fact that the Republicans do not care what polls say. If they can manipulate and cheat their way to winning an election, they will. Period, end of story.

They will milk every gerrymandered district to skew their state's representation, both in their own statehouses and in the House of Representatives. They will vigorously enforce every voter suppression law in place. They will foster and cover up illegal voter suppression measures in every state where can get away with it. They will support every corrupt Republican Secretary of State they can to "find" a trove of uncounted Republican votes (à la Scott Walker) to tip the balance in their favor at the last minute. They will spend every unreported million they can in order to influence every close outcome that they can "flip" from a Democratic victory to a "stunning, unexpected Republican upset."

We know they need to do it to win. They know they need to do it to win. Neither side disputes that, not the pros behind the scenes. We are down a few points in many crucial elections before the first vote is cast. This does NOT automatically mean we lose. It DOES mean our margin of victory needs to be so decisive that it overcomes Republican manipulation.

Where you can, vote for EVERY position on the ballot. Not just Governor, Senator or House of Representatives. The office of Secretary of State is vital, as that is any State's top election official. Without Florida Secretary of Stare Katherine Harris, Al Gore would have been President. Without Ohio Republican Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell in 2004, John Kerry would have been president.

Even State Auditors are corruption watchdogs (Iowa DUers--don't forget to vote for Rob Sand in November!).

Polls that make us smile, if they are legit, also serve as warning lights to Republican operatives to get meaner and spend more. Yes, a few of them are blinking now. The Republicans WILL spend more and they WILL get meaner. Keep that in mind! This MIGHT yet be a great election for us. It will NOT be a free ride.