The Five stages of Liberal Mourning over Palin
1.
Denial - This was probably the most surreal stage, with Obama campaign eventually
elevating unblinking denial into a campaign smear. The Atlantic ran an article entitled
"the Eagleton Scenario" and the NYT published an op-ed
gently and kingly suggesting that Palin "should withdraw" to avoid humiliation. InTrade shares on Palin being replaced spiked to
almost 15. When that didn't work, the left seamlessly transitioned
to a different wishful denial.
2.
Anger - Jeffrey Bell has suggested that the left's
hateful anger toward Palin has to do with the ideological grip that social issues have on the movement. That's not entirely false. But there's certainly a more sympathetic reading: they're just trying to cope. Still -
DU threads like this one are insanely venomous even by the left's usual standards.
3.
Bargaining - The Obama campaign is quickly learning that "our Presidential pick is slightly more experienced than your Vice Presidential pick" is an unhappy argumentative place to be. So - how about
Palin/McCain? What about
Palin vs. Clinton? Anything but a veteran Senator for President with an energetic and galvanizing - but still inexperienced - governor as his running mate.
4.
Depression - Last night's
54-44 Gallup poll has forced liberals to move into this next stage. Under the headline "shattered",
TNR is declaring that "the Palin pick is disheartening on so many levels." Josh Marshall, having posted the Gallup poll,
has become noticeably despondent. Again - it's sad, but it's all part of the natural coping process.
5.
Acceptance -
Mere Rhetoric: The 5 Stages Of Liberal Mourning Over Palin
#2 is top on my hit parade. Ask yerself why ray and some 'usual suspects' are lashing out with such hateful venom, eh? It's a culture war folks...
