May 8
Sorry for the delay in posting. (My God — is it 2PM already? Of course, in ITPT time, that means 1PM because I haven’t been able to figure out how to update blog time since daylight savings.) Since this week’s developments in the campaign, it’s harder to get up in the morning. In fact, sometimes I wake up grumpy. Sometimes I let him sleep. (OMG! LOL!)
Anyway, back in the ’60s, some chick named Elizabeth Kübler-Ross wrote a book on death and dying and the stages of grief, and, yes, she was the life of the party. However, since I am trying to work through my grief right now, I thought I’d see where I am on the scale.
- Denial: When Hillary’s campaign started really going downhill (following her Ohio win? Texas? New Hampshire?), I remained confident that she could reverse the tailspin. She was my girl, and she would emerge triumphant, despite the number of delegates, Obama’s primary wins, and her husband’s descent into madness. Exhibit A: “Lately everyone has been giving me the pity face…”
- Anger: I’m pretty sure I still haven’t left the “Denial” stage, but I did start to become somewhat testy (after Pennsylvania?). Exhibit A: “I mean, my God, can you imagine if someday I run for president and I have to explain my relationships with all of YOU?!” Exhibit B: “Now, the job of the campaign strategist is, essentially, to be the asshole that your candidate can’t be. You are the designated asshole.”
- Bargaining: I began creating scenarios — if Obama’s the nominee, then I’ll support him. If Hillary bows out of the campaign, then I will totally nuke this blog. If I can’t stand the Democrats any longer, then I will become a Republican. Exhibit A: “I’ve started noticing my impatience toward ‘long-haired hippie freaks’ and ‘bleeding-heart liberals.’ As I drive around with my $4 latte, I roll my eyes at the ‘Yuppie scum off the East Side!’ graffiti near my neighborhood.” And don’t forget The Pledge.
- Depression: I believe this is the stage that I’ve been stuck in since Tuesday wiped away most of my hopes and dreams. Exhibit A: “Honestly, it’s not that I care so much about the semi-tasteless jokes about Hillary. I mean, I can see why pundits are yukking it up over a horse being slaughtered after breaking her legs, while rich people sip their bourbon and the women shield their eyes with their stupid hats.”
- Acceptance: Not. There. Yet.
HOW CAN I BE?! This is sheer torture for me. I’ve stood with Hillary longer than most of her campaign advisers. It’s like when you’re dreaming and you realize you’re dreaming and you want to wake up and then you freak out because you can’t wake yourself up.
I also have a recurring dream where I’m at a Joan Jett concert and she’s a no-show so I have to get on stage and perform “I Love Rock N Roll.” Another stage of grief not included in Kübler-Ross: pining for the ’80s.
The trackback URL is here.
WE should all be so fortunate to have someone in our corner who is as dedicated and loyal as you have been.
Now, can we get Hillary back in the Democratic party for the general? Or is she campaigning for the job of VP…with McCain…as Jon Stewart suggested last night.
I’m at the stage of looking for reasons WHY?!? Currently that involves poring over statistics rather than doing any real work and I think I’ve cracked it ….. it’s postage.
Hillary has so far far spent about $15M on postage and shipping compared to Barack’s $5M. This has in great part contributed to the administrative costs of her campaign being about $10M higher than her opponent’s ($80M to $70M). That in turn has led to her having less to spend on broadcast advertising (only $36M compared to his $68M!). And I thought it was all word of mouth over $4 lattes.
Our last hope now is to point out that Rush Limbaugh is now saying he wants Obama as the democratic candidate. Come on people if Rush wants it it must be the wrong decision.
Re: 2. Jimbo
Where did you get that data? That is great blog post material for us social media nerds.
The other big sore thumb on Hillary’s expenditure side is Mark Penn. He, as a consultant, accounts for much of the debt. That’s going to be hard to raise money against. Many of my buds in D.C. really, really don’t like him.
opensecret.org …… Be careful, its very addictive
sorry, should be opensecrets.org
Crimson and Clover, over and over
I always thought that curly-haired blonde guy in the crowd was Steve Sanders from 90210.
Pining for the 80’s? Yeesh.
/a kidney stone of a decade
//Yep, It’s because I’m old.
Anyone else get the the feeling that the only reason she is staying in now is to recoup the loans she made to her campaign? Get a few more suckers to contribute to her failed cause and repay herself. Am I being paranoid or is it just typical Clinton MO?
Re: 2. Jimbo
The problem with HRC’s campaign is the accumulated weight of years of HRC and WJC. In ‘92, “Don’t Stop Thinkin’ ‘Bout Tomorrow.” In ‘08, “All We Have is Yesterday.” Not very inspiring.
With all due respect, her problems can’t be cured with 10 million — or even 100 million — of TV. The American people know her, and they aren’t moved.
PL, I think you have a week left to make it to The Big A.
My guess is that Obama doesn’t want HRC to drop out and then whup him in KY and WV (as she surely will; mouth-breathers love them some Clintons), so he’s discussing a way for her to exit gracefully next Wed.
That graceful exit may involve Obama helping her pay off the campaign debt. As an Obama donor I’m not crazy about that idea, but I guess I could… accept it.
PL, you’ve been — I’m sorry, will continue to be ’til, say, a week or so from now? — one hell of an adversary. When it comes time to focus on McSame, we’ll have so much more fun!
Re: 10. slickshusez
By that argument maybe one of the reasons the American people are moved by Obama is that they don’t know him? If so I’m sure that is something that going up against the Rs will change.
Sorry, can’t help clinging on for dear life.
There, there, PL, you’ll always have Mark Warner.
Wait. Did you get your photo made with Hillary?
Re: 13. Jimbo
Fortunately, what they know right now is the negative stuff and they still seem to like him. When they see him in action next to McCain, it will be so much the better.
http://www.writedamnnow.com
Joan who?
-Put
It’s not McCain himself that worries me. There is no doubt that Obama is the better speaker and better motivator.
However if thats all the negative stuff I’ll eat my proverbial hat. I’m going to bang the same drum I’ve been banging all day but if I was McCain and wanted to gather up the vote of someone disgruntled with the Washington machine I might start by asking why the candidate who is selling himself as outside the political gravy train has raised double the amount McCain has from his top 5 corporate sources and also almost double the amount from donors at the $2300 and up level.
/Yep, still at stage 1
http://www.inthepinktexas.com
Re: 16. Put
OK, I’ll bite. How old are you?
Re: 17. Jimbo
But see, that’s just it. He hasn’t said he is “outside the political gravy train.” He said he wasn’t taking money from “oil companies,” but then changed that to state, more accurately since no one can take corporate contributions, that he’s not taking money from oil company PACs. And McCain can’t really go there. Mr. “I’ll-take-federal-funding-oh-wait-no-I-won’t-what-do-you-mean-I-have-to-pay-back-that-loan?” Mr. I-have-as-many-corporate-bundlers-as-you-do? I don’t think so. Works out nicely.
Re: 19. Don’t Mess w/ Pink
Here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/05/08/obama-floated-idea-of-cap_n_100843.html
http://www.writedamnnow.com
Re: 18. PL
I was born in ‘78.
But I’m young for my age.
-Put
No mourning is complete without a proper wake.
http://www.showlush.com
Re: 22. treehugger
Amen to that.
/NURSE.