Denial is the first stage of the grief cycle. Grief is the emotion that accompanies loss.

[rateyes]

I am calling for compassion and understanding for those who are grieving today. Although the reality of the math tells us that Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee, that realization will cause great grief for those who have worked so hard for Hillary Clinton in the true belief that she is the best candidate for the country at this time. And, even though Obama will soon wrap up the nomination, that belief that Clinton would have been better is not going to change.

For many, the grief is just now hitting them. I think I first witnessed some of that grief when Harold Ford last night admitted that Obama will be the nominee and that he ought to seriously consider asking Hillary to be the Vice-Presidential part of the ticket.

When grief begins, the initial shock is accompanied by denial. There are those who will hang on to this stage of grief for a while...at least up to the moment that Hillary concedes. Their feeling is that it is not over, and they will keep pushing for Hillary to stay in the race despite the reality that she will not win.

After grief comes anger...and, that is going to be expressed on this forum toward those of us who supported Obama, and it will be ugly. Some will react to that anger by becoming defensive, and will return anger with anger. I hope that most Obama supporters will understand that anger, and will brush it aside. There really is no need to become defensive...and, we need to remember that Obama can't win without the support of the Democrats who support Hillary Clinton. Please, do not cut off your nose to spite your face.

After anger comes bargaining...and, there will be bargaining about money and debt and possible VP slots, etc. It's part of the process.

After bargaining comes depression. We don't need depressed voters come November. We need people who are excited about a Democrat winning the presidency, and who will work to make it happen. Be considerate to others.

After depression, finally, comes acceptance.

The feelings people have at times of great loss are natural and valid. And, my fellow Obama supporters (although, in my primary I voted for Edwards), if the shoe were on the other foot today, we would feel the same way Clinton supporters feel today.

Having said that, I make one plea to Clinton supporters. Please, rise above the anger and try to objectively look at what the November election means to this country. As I said to Obama supporters, please don't cut off your nose to spite your face. Our party needs you. This country needs you.

And, having looked in my own heart, allow me to make my apologies right now for any ugly thing I have said about other candidates in this race (except the Republican ones). I spoke them from my anger/frustration, and not from my reason. Objectively speaking, the only way that I would not have voted for Hillary should she have captured the nomination is if I felt to my core being that she had secured it unfairly by having worked to change the rules in the middle of the process.

I know that there are those of you who will attack this argument from both sides. And, you will make some valid points, I'm sure. I'm not perfect, and don't pretend to be. I have my biases and prejudices, just like we all do. I'm sure that, in the heat of the moment in future discussions I will say things that I shouldn't say, and that upon further reflection I don't really mean. That's the fragile humanity that resides in me.

To everyone here I DU, I salute you. You are the best. :patriot:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. K&R

These are very wise words. I went through all these stages when Kucinich dropped out, though, like you, I hope I didn't say anything in anger to another; if so, I apologize. The key here remains what it has always been--to defeat the Republicans in November. May I suggest to Clinton supporters that if they do not have the heart to work for Obama, work down ticket. Find someone running for Congress or the Senate who you really believe in, and donate to them, work for them. Because it will take a Democratic Congress to help a Democratic President.

[rateyes]

2. Good idea. nt