I went to grab a coffee in Philly as the midterm results poured in. Let me tell you about the bluepocalypse euphoria I saw

Toronto Star · John Semley ·

The Democrats have to keep the proverbial pedal to the metal.

Early on the morning of November 4, as the results of the U.S. midterm elections were settling across the nation, I went for a sluggish 5 kilometre jog down the Delaware River Trail in Philadelphia, basking in the cool autumn air, and the considerably warmer feelings that seemed to vibrate off just about every smiling face I passed. Around the 3.5 km mark, I passed a guy running shirtless, in 22°C temperatures, sporting a Philadelphia 76ers decked out in bright pride flag colours. And it hit me: woke is back, baby.

Early polls predicted a drubbing for Donald Trump and the Republicans in the midterms. Many Americans were sick of America’s war in Iran, and continued support of the Israeli regime. The cost of living was skyrocketing. Eggs and gas were getting more expensive. Masked government goons had been abducting — and murdering people — in the street, under the auspices of “immigration enforcement.” Some were anticipating a “blue wave.” By the time the polls closed, it was being called a “blue tsunami.” In the blush of the morning after it seems even more seismic, and historic. What’s bigger than a “blue tsunami?” A Bluepocalypse?

The final tally surpassed even the most optimistic expectations. Democrats reclaimed control of the U.S. House of Representatives, picking up 25 seats. More surprisingly, they gained seven seats in the Senate. Deep Red Texas elected a Democratic Senator, James Talarico, for the first time since 1988. Michigan elected the Senate’s first Muslim member, Abdul El-Sayed — a progressive candidate who, in the run-up to the election, was lambasted by right-wing and centrist opponents alike, as everything from a jihadist extremist to a pro-LGBTQ, pro-choice commie. Chris Pappas, America’s first openly gay male senator, was elected in New Hampshire. Incidentally, the sister of the late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, Darline Graham, was also defeated. It was a new, crisp morning in America.

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