As trump falters, Democrats and Biden eye an elusive prize

As polls show Texans increasingly frustrated with President Donald trump’s response amid a massive resurgence in coronavirus cases, Democrats say they have a real chance to turn a long-held dream into reality: winning the state’s presidential contest for the first time in more than four decades.

In recent weeks, Joe Biden’s campaign has aired television ads specifically aimed at Texans - the first time a Democratic presidential candidate has done so in a quarter-century, according to the state party and made its first hires there.

Texas is among the states targeted by a $280 million fall advertising blitz the campaign unveiled last week, part of a broader strategy aimed at putting Republican-leaning states, including Georgia, Iowa and Ohio, in play ahead of the November 3 election against the Republican trump.

With polls showing Biden holding a national lead over trump and effectively tied in Texas, Democrats say a concerted effort in the state could expand his viable paths to the White House.

“Because of the pandemic, the battlegroundhasgrown,”saiddemocratic US Representative Filemon Vela, who represents a south Texas seat.

But skepticism remains about conservative Texas becoming a true swing state. trump carried it by nine percentage points four years ago, and some strategists expect his standing to rebound as the election draws closer.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Samantha Cotten said Democrats were “delusional” for thinking they can win Texas.

“We welcome the Biden campaign to light their money on fire by investing in the Lone Star State,” she said in a statement.

Texas is an expensive place to advertise on television given its size and multiple media markets, and Biden aides acknowledge the campaign is unlikely to spend the kind of vast sum a full-court press would require. — Reuters

Alockdown and a week-long holiday have given us the break we required and a quick dose of discipline. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. After 14 days of dusk-to-dawn lockdown we have the urge to rush home at 7 pm despite the change of timing from 9 pm to 5 am. It just shows how easily we can condition ourselves and bring in discipline into our lives no matter what our age is – it is never too late. Now we only wish there is someone to inspire us for all the changes we need to incorporate into our lives.

They say old habits never die, but there is a possibility that we can acknowledge it but replace it. As children when we used to throw tantrums or cry the best tool parents or family members used was distraction. It might still be the best tool to use at present as well. It is not about being nonchalant about what is going on around us, knowingly choosing to stay positive with filling in the day with the work, new hobbies and learning new things.

The new norms could be a turning point in our lives. The lockdown brought into focus the value of time. The pandemic taught us that we can manage work and life in a different way as well. When the experts tell us that lifestyles may never be the same again the first thing that comes to the mind are visiting public places and traveling. Accordingly we have been thinking of immunity and that has brought attention to our body and mind.

Does that mean socialising has been actually a distraction all these years? We need the support system of our family, friends and the society no doubt, but maybe there could have been times where we had gone overboard.

Now, however, it is you, the immediate family and thoughts.

For those of whom who are on their own as residents in the country without their families work has been a therapy. Hopefully they are able to overcome anxiety and fear to keep their thoughts positive.