Joe's hurt because he has played such a good game for so long -- and I mean that with respect.  What he is now constitutionally unable to realize, is that HE is now getting played -- that the subtle calculus that brought him so far and earned him so much power is not only no longer useful but is political poison.  Bush/Cheney, in their extremeness, have created the need for an opposition party that is in open and passionate revolt against the radicals in power.  Joe's methods -- his whole political philosophy -- are no longer useful.

There are no real winners here.  I think eventually Joe will see OUR position (and perhaps jump back onto the cumbersome donkey).  Right now -- and effectively since Bush/Cheney 2004 -- Joe is superannuated.  The voters know this.