The death of candidacies is always painful, especially for those who are passionately committed to the candidate. I have been on the losing end of campaigns in which I was passionately involved more times than I care to count.
It hurts. Every single time.
In this race, I have liked Edwards and Obama. I was not wed to one or the other. In fact, like many folks who were around here in `04 (including, perhaps, kos), I purposely avoided a commitment to any candidate. I admire Edwards and Obama. They are both terrific candidates and I cannot choose between them.
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In `04, I was wed to Howard Dean. And, boy, did it hurt when his candidacy went down in flames. I am sure I was incredibly bitter, though, thank god, I can't find any of those old posts.
It was ugly around here.
Going through the ending a candidacy one believes in wholeheartedly is not unlike (though I should be clear - nowhere near as painful as) losing a loved one. Some version of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross' five stages of grief certainly apply:
- Denial
- Anger
- Bargaining
- Depression
- Acceptance
If we recognize that those passionately committed to any candidate will go through similar stages as it becomes clear that their favored candidate may fail, then perhaps we can all cut each other a little slack the next month or so.
The race will likely end on February 5th. I'm not suggesting that people stop posting passionate arguments for or against particular candidates. And I don't think we need some big "Kumbaya" moment. Hell, that just ain't gonna' happen.
But keep in mind when you're in the heat of a debate with a passionate supporter of a candidate that there are stages to these events. And the heat is likely to dissipate over time, even if some believe it won't.