IN THE BOSTON PHOENIX, David Bernstein (no, not the David Bernstein) writes:

Conservative blogosphere superstar Glenn Reynolds is now leaning toward Bob Barr. Reynolds lives and votes in Tennessee, and could be a leading indicator of a decision that a fair number of folks, especially in the South (Barr is Georgian), may be considering as they start to see McCain’s defeat as inevitable.

Er, except that wasn’t my point at all. As I noted in the post (which, oddly isn’t linked as other items on the page are), the point was that my vote in Tennessee probably doesn’t matter whether McCain wins or loses, since Tennessee’s safe for him (so my vote doesn’t matter) unless he loses big (in which case my vote doesn’t matter). It has nothing to do with inevitability.

Lots of people are telling us McCain’s defeat is inevitable, but bear in mind that they’re mostly people who would prefer that pro-McCain voters stay home. Vote for McCain or not as you choose, but don’t stay home because people are telling you his defeat is inevitable. (The irony, of course, would be if Obama’s voters stayed home as a result of this line, but I assume his well-oiled vote-turnout machine will prevent that). Anyway, here’s what the David Bernstein has to say about inevitability. Wasn’t Hillary inevitable once, too?

Plus this: “Does anyone else have the feeling there’s a good portion of the country simply killing time until Obama’s coronation?” Plus, the Senate. Though in Tennessee that isn’t close, either. Bob Tuke, the Democrat running against Lamar, is a nice guy — I had dinner with him once, years ago — but that would be an upset among upsets.