I didn't mention the Democratic primary in yesterday's post, but my feelings about how that is running are similar to my feelings about the way debate and discussion is happening on other issues. On the one hand, I think the rivalry, edging toward animosity, between the candidates is hyped by the media a bit to heighten the narrative tension. On the other hand, there is plenty of evidence from comments all over the internet that the supporters of the two candidates in fact are quite adamant.
Get over yourselves.
If either side really believes that the other is the embodiment of some dastardly plot, incarnate political evil hell-bent on destroying all that is good and true in the Democratic Party and the country, and various supporters refuse to even consider voting for the opposite number if their candidate is the nominee - then our politics is truly broken. It's about compromise. It's about accepting that sometimes, the other guy (or gal) wins. Neither candidate is perfect; both have run campaigns that have been both high-minded and down-and-dirty. I support Sen. Obama, but if Sen. Clinton somehow manages to sneak past him in Denver, I refuse to whine in my latte and sit with my arms folded in November. Children act that way.
Everyone needs to take a deep breath, remember what is at stake and who the real opponent is (a seventy-year-old serial adulterer whose supporters include a dispensationalist whacko who preaches from printed flow charts in which he gives details on the coming apocalypse), rather than get all resentful that one's own candidate didn't win. There may be a few thousand out there who act this way, but most of us will vote in November.
I think a round of beers is in order, on the winner, once the primaries are over.
