Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist
But I've observed (and experienced) some emotional dysfunction in my time on planet Earth.
When I take a break from being angry at the Clinton campaign for their shameless behavior over the last few months, I wonder at the mindset of this woman who has lived all of her adult life in a goldfish bowl. Being the wife of Bill Clinton, the first lady of Arkansas and the first lady of the U.S., has shaped and warped her psyche. And if that wasn’t enough, the Monica/impeachment/vast-right-wing-conspiracy chapter finally "buried" her real self – whoever that was. (We’ll never know).
A lifetime in campaign politics required the creation of a "false self." People in all walks of life and in all professions create fake identities in order to escape some kind of childhood pain. A life on the political stage is a kind of extreme manifestation of that route.
Back in the 80s, I dated a politician who previously had been a successful professional athlete. He’d been in the public eye since high school. When it was time for him to retire from sports, it was a natural segue to continue his "manufactured" identity in politics. It worked for him. As long as he could be Mr. Politician, he could avoid intimacy.
When Mrs. Clinton got caught fabricating the sniper fire story, I thought to myself "she is nuts." No rational person would think they’d not get caught in so blatant a lie. Her staff and her loyalists have not served her well. This week, her rantings in Florida show a woman out of touch with reality. She has not thought through what she’s doing to her future career and historical legacy. I believe she’s come unhinged.
I hope the grand poo-bahs of the Democratic Party come to the aid of their constituents to shut down this primary process after June 3. Until then, I will not be surprised at any words or actions emanating from camp Clinton.