For those who feel defeated by last night's election returns

[JMDEM]

After PA, I was feeling the same way, thinking that Obama might be in an irreversible tailspin. At any rate, I was pretty upset, although PA was not as bad as last night was on Hillary supporters.

A week ago, I was feeling all sorts of anger and angst and fear for the state of the Union, etc. But then it crossed my mind -- isn't this the exact same set of emotions I get when some sports team I have supported all year eats it in the playoffs or championship game? And you know what -- it was the EXACT same set of emotions. Geez -- I'm still upset by my favorite baseball team completely folding in the late innings of game six in the 2002 World Series, then giving away game 7. But in reality, the 2002 World Series means nothing in terms of the world or humanity, etc. Just a bunch of jocks playing a little kid's game. So why was I so upset? It was because of the emotional investment I had put into my favorite team. It was very odd -- the Universe was in perfect alignment when they won, and in complete chaos when they lost (or so I perceived)

Of course there are greater ramifications for a political defeat than a sports team defeat. I still cannot go anywhere near anything that reminds me of the 2000 or 2004 general elections. I can't even watch Fahrenheit 911 because it brings up such bad memories of 2000.

However, we are dealing with two candidates who are almost identical on all issues, not GWB versus Gore. A week ago, I decided that I could easily live with Hillary as the Dem candidate... EXCEPT...

I was greatly concerned that if she became the Dem candidate, that the Dems would lose the GE because of a fractured party and other electability issues.

And I think that this is exactly what fuels most Hillary supporters too -- they are convinced that Obama cannot win in the GE.

So both our teams share a common hatred of the Republicans and GWB, and what has happened to us over the last 7 years. And the ferocity of our attacks on one another is PROBABLY mostly fueled by the fear that the opposing candidate cannot win the GE.

True? I think it is. Again, I became convinced that Hillary could not win the GE because she would fracture our party if she won the primaries at this point. And apparently the Hillary supporters have an even stronger feeling in this regard towards Obama -- that he is unelectable due to blue state - red state issues, the Wright controversy, etc.

So how does one heal this rift? First, one has to divorce oneself from the emotional involvement put into a candidate, and move to logic instead. Whoever wins the primary, the goal then becomes to win the GE. Period.

Then, one must accurately assess the true issues that remain.

Issue #1 is that we cannot survive 4 more years of a Bush-like regime.
Issue #2 deals with our candidate's electability. Is it really an issue? If so, what are the sub-issues, and how are those best dealt with?

It's time we move on and start addressing the real issues at this point.

[Texas Hill Country]

1. personally, as I have thought for a long time, a unity ticket is the only way out of this mess.

[Lautremont]

2. A unity ticket of Clinton and who?

[peace13]

3. I appreciate the gesture but you would have to explain the following to me

Bosnia, the gas tax holiday, endorsement of McCain over Obama, Elite, and Reverend what's his name. If you can make me understand how to wrap my brain around those issues then I am sure that I can endorse a unity ticket. Peace, Kim