Let me ask you this ― so eight years ago all branches of government were controlled by the Democrats ― were you [optimistic] then? [Audience member says yes.] Was it perfect? [Audience member says, “Nothing is ever perfect.”] So, on the flip side of that is anything ever ― what you need to do in this situation is rally the troops for those most vulnerable.

In this time that’s difficult, the way you get [optimistic] is, I think, sort of in the way when I was in the show and I was not feeling it. You’ve worked any place for 16 years, some days you come in and you just don’t have it and you suck. And you hope that other people will pick you up. I was very fortunate, at the show, that we had really great people and when I didn’t have it, they did.

But there will be real ramification to this election. [Find] who are the vulnerable people, where are the vulnerable societies. And not in tweets, in practice. In reality.

If [Trump] tries to deport dreamers, then that’s where everyone has to go, to protect them. If he tries to make a Muslim Registry, then everyone has to go there and help them. You have to find the people that are going be most in jeopardy, I think, and put your attentions on them because now it’s about reality.

But the only thing I would tell everybody to hearten is we’re still the same country. Obama didn’t change and fix everything and Trump can’t ruin everything. If we’re that vulnerable to one guy, that guy — that’s how we’re going out? This incredible experiment in liberty and democracy that we fought and died for is going to go out ― with that guy.

That can’t be how this story ends.

...

Maybe I’m naive or idiotic, but I feel like ― when has this been easy?

Fucking buckle your seat belt and get ready.

...

[Responding to another audience member with a similar response]

I’m optimistic because, I cant believe how much better this country is than it was when it started. It’s always up and back.

And you [the audience member] said something interesting, you said we’re all going to go back to our liberal bubble. I’m like, yeah, that’s a shame.

Because it does create this idea that, in the same way that I hated ― Sarah Palin used to do this all the time ― “Out here in real America.” There’s no real America. It’s just, it is what it is. Generally people are just trying to get to work.

And I think the key for us is to be like, who needs a ride?