National polls are tightening, but what is the Hillary Campaign doing about it?

[DFW]

65. If it will make you feel any better

Take ANY Trump public appearance in the last month, and compare it with Hillary's appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show tonight (links elsewhere on DU). That should give you an idea who's running scared and who's running smoothly.

Hillary was very conservative (original English definition, not Foxese) with her responses, didn't spend her time obsessing about Trump. She didn't shy away from the subject, but didn't lay herself open for any clips the Republicans can use in some future attack ad.

She also has Howard advising her in the background, and Howard knows not only the ropes, but where all the weak points (both hers and Trump's) are, and can help guide her through the minefield.

Don't forget that ANY Republican ticket automatically gets somewhere between 40% and 45% of the vote even if that ticket consists of Hitler's ghost for President with George of the Jungle as his running mate. That's what we get for allowing Fox Noise to pollute our airwaves for 20 years, with National Hate Radio taking up the slack in areas where people spend more time in their vehicles than out of them.

But this is not 2000. Yes, there will be some peripheral parties fielding candidates, but Bernie Sanders wisely saw that all Ralph Nader got in 2000 from Cheney was a nod and a "now fuck off!" Sanders has earned a place at the table, and Hillary will give it to him. She won't be his hostage, but I doubt Sanders will be looking to make her into one, either. I figure he'll say, "you owe me," and she'll say "I certainly do." He will actively campaign FOR the Democrats, not against them.

Without a serious third party distraction or some well-financed Republican move of questionable legality or the "2nd Amendment" variety, the map of the electoral votes is looking good. Not yet dancing-in-the-streets good, but getting there. Does Trump have Alabama, Mississippi and Idaho sewn up? Sure. Probably here in Texas, too, although a few more insulting Trump farts bashing women, Hispanics and black folks, and even that might tip our way.

Short of someone feeding Trump Prozac (or Pence amphetamines) in the near future, don't look for their demeanor to change. If it does, THEN worry.