With all due recognition that fund-raising emails are calculated to stir emotions (either positive or negative) for the purpose of inspiring donations, I find this appeal from the McAuliffe campaign to contain a remarkable confession.

I’m flabbergasted, Jim …

We’ve been sending you email after email about just how important this race is, but it’s October, and it’s looking like a tossup right now.

I thought folks would be fired up to get out the vote, but at this point, it seems like enthusiasm is at an all time low.

The default mode of candidates is to feign optimism even if they don’t feel it. They maintain the pretense of enthusiasm in the electorate, even if it doesn’t exist. If the McAuliffe campaign admits openly that enthusiasm seems to be at “an all time low,” it might well be.

— JAB