August was a month of joy and hope for Democrats. But darker days lie ahead.

In September and October, politics – like the weather – will grow colder, darker and meaner.

Republicans will do what they always do: appeal to hate and fear. They’ll run the dark TV ads and roll out the scary mailers screaming about invading migrants, marauding criminals and an onslaught of Marxists, radicals, communists, socialists and liberals.

For them, every day will be Halloween.

As always, the real message will be race. It’s always about race.

As always, some people will succumb to fear.

Democrats must keep alive the hopeful, patriotic spirit of August – when the Paris Olympics lifted us, President Biden stepped aside for a new generation and Kamala Harris took up the torch to light a new way forward.

MAGA Republicans hate all that, but Americans hunger for more of it.

So, here’s an old political warrior’s advice to all you dedicated Democratic campaign workers in these last nine weeks: Take a couple of hours off now and then. Get outside. Go for a walk, a run, a hike or a workout. Breathe.

Save something for the crucial days in October when you’ll go to work in the dark and go home in the dark.

Fight the darkness with the light of joy, hope and optimism.

If you persist, you will prevail.

The darkness will pass, and you will be greeted by a glorious sunrise.