Is it as bad as it seems?

Even now, after having cast my primary vote, I am truly agnostic about who will become the Democratic nominee. I really like and respect both candidates, and am thrilled with the possibility of either becoming President. But this race has been making me increasingly anxious. It seems like someone flipped a switch recently that made all the magnanimity and politesse drain out of both sides of the thing. Whereas a month ago, even the partisans of my acquaintance seemed respectful of the other side, now all I see is snideness, backbiting, and – well – partisanship. From where I stand it seems equally bad from both sides, so spare me the “Well, they started it!” routine.

This morning, my 76-year-old Hillary-loving mother said this to me, “You know I have never really gotten invested in politics much. But this time it’s different. I really feel something deeply emotional.”

Four years ago, after my primary candidate lost I remember feeling very sad and let down, but not bitter at the nominee (well, no bitterness until said Democratic nominee lost in November).

So, I can’t help but wonder (imagine me saying that in my best Carrie Bradshaw voice): Is it just my mom, or have the rest of you also gotten so emotionally invested that you can no longer see the forest for the trees? I hate watching as two incredibly strong candidates get sucked into a vortex of ugliness, and I am especially terrified the the ill-feelings of the supporters will last past the convention to the detriment of the ultimate nominee in the general.

Someone please tell me I’m wrong about this so I can go back to being anxious about things that matter, like who will win Project Runway.


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29 responses to “Is it as bad as it seems?”

  1. PaulaG Avatar
    PaulaG

    i’m all for a vigorous primary, and i’ve been saying so for weeks. what i don’t like is what i see as the sudden ugliness of it all.

  2. PaulaG Avatar
    PaulaG

    i’m all for a vigorous primary, and i’ve been saying so for weeks. what i don’t like is what i see as the sudden ugliness of it all.

  3. Decaturguy Avatar
    Decaturguy

    Four years ago, after my primary candidate lost I remember feeling very sad and let down, but not bitter at the nominee (well, no bitterness until said Democratic nominee lost in November).

    Hey, but that guy lost to George Bush, remember? Maybe this time we are actually doing it right, by not prematurely short circuiting the process and getting a nominee that we don’t really like. Look at how the Republicans did it this year. They got their nominee early, they surely did, but most Republicans can’t stand him.

  4. Decaturguy Avatar
    Decaturguy

    Four years ago, after my primary candidate lost I remember feeling very sad and let down, but not bitter at the nominee (well, no bitterness until said Democratic nominee lost in November).

    Hey, but that guy lost to George Bush, remember? Maybe this time we are actually doing it right, by not prematurely short circuiting the process and getting a nominee that we don’t really like. Look at how the Republicans did it this year. They got their nominee early, they surely did, but most Republicans can’t stand him.

  5. Sarawaraclara Avatar
    Sarawaraclara

    I hate to say it, but I think Rami is gonna win PR.

  6. Sarawaraclara Avatar
    Sarawaraclara

    I hate to say it, but I think Rami is gonna win PR.

  7. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    I’ve decided not to attend my delegate selection event. I don’t want to declare just to vote either.

  8. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    I’ve decided not to attend my delegate selection event. I don’t want to declare just to vote either.

  9. jac1975 Avatar
    jac1975

    OH, and I agree with Tim…. I think nasty hair (and I’m thinking closeted transgender female) Christian will win. I kept waiting for Christian to come out as transgender, but alas, he hasn’t 🙁

  10. jac1975 Avatar
    jac1975

    OH, and I agree with Tim…. I think nasty hair (and I’m thinking closeted transgender female) Christian will win. I kept waiting for Christian to come out as transgender, but alas, he hasn’t 🙁

  11. jac1975 Avatar
    jac1975

    I too have had the same worry as a fellow agnostic. I’m even torn about whose delegate I should run to be (is that even grammatically correct?). I just want to be in Denver as a voting delegate 🙂

    I’m hoping that the convention will be a great coming together for the party…let folks mourn “their” candidate and then unite to stop a 3rd Dubya term.

  12. griftdrift Avatar

    I wouldn’t fret yet. Despite all the cries of the bloodletting it’s been fairly tame compared to previous elections. I don’t believe the wounds are that deep and they will heal in time.

    And Gillian will pull off the upset and beat the fierce child prodigy.

  13. plange Avatar

    “Christian will win PR.”

    man I’m out of it, when I first read that, I was like “Who is Christian, and what elected position is he/she running for in Puerto Rico”?? LOL…

  14. plange Avatar

    “Christian will win PR.”

    man I’m out of it, when I first read that, I was like “Who is Christian, and what elected position is he/she running for in Puerto Rico”?? LOL…

  15. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    I vote for the blond one.

  16. CatherineAtlanta Avatar
    CatherineAtlanta

    I’m rooting for Jillian. I like her style. Have to agree with Richard on Christian – though did anyone see the “vintage” photos of Michael Kors – LOL.

  17. CatherineAtlanta Avatar
    CatherineAtlanta

    I’m rooting for Jillian. I like her style. Have to agree with Richard on Christian – though did anyone see the “vintage” photos of Michael Kors – LOL.

  18. Richard Campbell Avatar
    Richard Campbell

    “Christian will win PR.”

    I hope not…no one with that haircut should be allowed to design clothes.

  19. Richard Campbell Avatar
    Richard Campbell

    “Christian will win PR.”

    I hope not…no one with that haircut should be allowed to design clothes.

  20. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    You’re not wrong, I feel the same way.

    More I think about the whole super delegates thing, the more I think they have become the emotional outlet for this frustration and angst

    I’m very concerned about tonight debate. So concerned I don’t plan on watching, taping( wow throw back term) or reading about it in the play by play after.

    I will be at the East Cobb Dem meeting instead. Rob Teilhet will be the guest speaker.

  21. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    You’re not wrong, I feel the same way.

    More I think about the whole super delegates thing, the more I think they have become the emotional outlet for this frustration and angst

    I’m very concerned about tonight debate. So concerned I don’t plan on watching, taping( wow throw back term) or reading about it in the play by play after.

    I will be at the East Cobb Dem meeting instead. Rob Teilhet will be the guest speaker.

  22. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    once its over we’ll all be fine. Dems that is.

    Let the McCain adultery story run its course and get some attacks on him and those polls will be BS.

    btw: we’ve had several dems “winning” head to head matchups this far out and go on to lose, so fret not.

    PS: The only reason I am so bitter this primary comes from supporting three losing candidates. One of whom was the most qualified candidate ever…anyways.

  23. innerredneckexposed Avatar
    innerredneckexposed

    once its over we’ll all be fine. Dems that is.

    Let the McCain adultery story run its course and get some attacks on him and those polls will be BS.

    btw: we’ve had several dems “winning” head to head matchups this far out and go on to lose, so fret not.

    PS: The only reason I am so bitter this primary comes from supporting three losing candidates. One of whom was the most qualified candidate ever…anyways.

  24. Tim Avatar

    I would say it’s early yet, it’s anxious because the two D candidates are still in a contest and a REALLY close one. Ask me again in 4 weeks.

    On another note, Christian will win PR.

  25. Tim Avatar

    I would say it’s early yet, it’s anxious because the two D candidates are still in a contest and a REALLY close one. Ask me again in 4 weeks.

    On another note, Christian will win PR.

  26. sndeak Avatar
    sndeak

    Hand wringing already? It’s only February, overanxious Democrats usually don’t start that until September.

  27. sndeak Avatar
    sndeak

    Hand wringing already? It’s only February, overanxious Democrats usually don’t start that until September.

  28. Jen B. Avatar
    Jen B.

    “..and I am especially terrified the the ill-feelings of the supporters will last past the convention to the detriment of the ultimate nominee in the general.”

    4 years ago, I think everyone pulled it together for Kerry (though I never put a Kerry sticker on my car) to defeat Bush. And I think everyone will do it again this time, though Bush is a much easier motivator.

  29. CatherineAtlanta Avatar
    CatherineAtlanta

    I wish I could assure you, Paula. Unfortunately, I am feeling the same anxiety. This morning I saw some poll numbers that showed McCain winning against either one of the Democratic nominees. I cannot fathom this, and I don’t put a lot of stock in polls any longer, but there it was…

    I guess its up to people like us, who are relatively agnostic about the Dem nominees, to smooth out ruffled feathers once a nominee prevails.

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