Dem Race is Psych 101.

By now everyone has talked about the Democratic race for President. And, now that the election is all but over, I am going to weigh in with some thoughts and analysis to help us all settle down for the long campaign ahead. The point of this post is to help us understand how the personalities played into the politics of the last year. Moreover, this should help us get past the hurt feelings that divided Democrats.

Gender and Hillary Clinton

It is amazing to me see how liberals dealt with the ultimate decision - a black man or a white woman? Should we vote for a black guy who has struggled most of his life and offers a vision of hope even though he is young and inexperienced? What about a woman who challenges the status quo, is tough, and a fighter in light of her strong sense of entitlement and image problem?

Despite the campaigns, the problems, the issues, and so forth, Barack and Hillary offered the same vision for America. Both, are basically palatable to liberals.

The problem is that Hillary is a woman. Whatever our tolerances and thoughts about equality may be, we are all raised in a culture where Hillary makes us uncomfortable. She screams, yells, acts authoritatively, and is, unfortunately, not seen as in command, a leader, or heroic. Rather, she is viewed as shrieking, demanding, and bitchy.

Psychologically, Barack is much more comfortable to look at, hear, think about, and, ultimately, vote for - despite our belief that Barack is that much different politically than Hillary. Its our excuse, not our reason for voting for Obama.

Marriage and Bill Clinton

We all gasped when Bill Clinton made several gaffes - offensive or not - throughout the campaign. Politicos debated why he was failing at an art that he perfected and why he seemed so frustrated.

Let's be honest. Bill Clinton is making up - big time - for his indiscretions. This is one big I LOVE YOU HONEY and I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU and I AM STILL SORRY. His inability to make good on what he does best is why Bill has made so many mistakes. He feels guilty and inadequate - like he let his wife down...again. Let up on the guy.

HOPE and BARACK

Barack Obama psychologically tapped into something that a politician has not done in a while. He has helped us FEEL better as human beings for voting for him. We FEEL proud of ourselves for participating in some great social movement. We FEEL like we are being open, tolerant, and progressive by pushing forward a young and energetic black man who has made good on the American dream.

People didn't feel good voting for Hillary, they felt tired. Barack offered a movement and Hillary offered a struggle.


Let's all get real and understand that our politicians are human beings that aren't totally scripted. Their psyches have their own scripts- as do ours. Getting mad at the Clintons is pointless and, in the same, not voting for Obama closes the door on what Clinton would have done, too.

Instead, let's realize that this election has been one big emotional mess. We all need to calm down, let our feelings chill out, and rationally go forward.


PS This piece is not offered as TRUTH, but thoughtful thoughts and hopeful discussion.

 
posted by on 06/03/08 at 09:13 AM. [printer-friendly version]   

posted by Walt on 06/03/08 at 10:28 AM

posted by L.W. on 06/03/08 at 06:00 PM