The first American politician I admired in my life was called "the Man from Hope." He ran on a unifying platform and an inspiring life story. Here was man who came from a broken home with an abusive step-father, to an education at the world's best universities, to the Governor's mansion in Arkansas, and finally the White House. This is a story that embiggens us all as Americans, makes us proud to be part of a nation that could produce such a shining example of human dynamism.
Yet at every step, he was dogged by mediocrities who resented his talents. From his political acumen to his personal charm, he was doomed to be hated by those who rely on escort services for their libidinal satisfaction. As enlightened, liberal sorts, we look upon such people with contempt, not because they are mainly in the political opposition, but because in the spirit of generosity, we eschew all such feelings of petty bitterness.
It would be fair to say everyone here has come in second place once or twice in his or her life. And maybe just once we saw an opportunity in the last moments, the opportunity to take the lead. Though the competition had outrun us, despite our best efforts and aching legs, we might just reach out and grab his jersey and pull him back, maybe trip him up, and then, just maybe, we might pull ahead. It wouldn't be dignified. No one would congratulate us, but we'd win.
This the way the opposition operates: Contest every vote, even if by rights you lost. Make as much of every woman as you can, even if you secretly wish you could score 22 year old interns at a similarly advanced age (and especially if you're making an effort). Don't win by running fast or training hard, just do everything you can to drag the competition down so you can limp across the finish line just a second earlier and take the day in ignominy.
It's sad to see it from someone nominally on the side of liberality and good sense, who shouldn't need to conduct herself that way. People say it has something to do with the defensive, crouching posture of the southern centrist Democratic milieu in which she came up, and maybe that's right, but it doesn't smell any sweeter to this New Englander for it.
Though I expect no further opportunities to vote for Hillary, I feel my votes against her to date have been vindicated. She's demonstrated her independence from and her dependence upon Bill in all of the wrong ways, as I see it.
My hope now is that her campaign is cut mercifully short next week.
Author's note: A commenter has pointed out that Hillary is not a southerner. This is true, of course, but beside the point, which is that she got her start in politics in the South and in the DLC/New Democrat milieu prevailing there in the eighties and nineties.