The 5 stages of grief for a candidate's supporters

[sniffa]

Similar to the loss of a loved one, a candidate's supporters go through the same Kubler-Ross model of grief. The 5 stages played themselves out here when John Edwards suspended his campaign, but it was a fairly rapid process for most as Super Tuesday was right around the corner and I think that seemed to speed up the grieving process for some.

The Clinton supporters however, have been going through this cycle since February 5th, when her campaign hit the wall. This is an egregiously long time to have to go through the 5 stages of grief, but I blame Hillary Clinton for putting you through this. She pretty much guaranteed you'd be grieving until March 4, as she almost immediately pinned her game plan to Texas and Ohio. I hope she doesn't take advantage of you too much longer, and string your grief out until April 22, but hopefully Tuesday will end it.

I've been discussing this recently, and playing the armchair shrink of, "This DUer is in this stage, and this DUer is in that stage" for some time now, and I've mentioned it in a few threads. So, here it is, the 5 Stages Of Grief that I've seen unfolding since Feb. 5, 2008.

Denial - She leads national polls and leads in overall delegates.

Anger - He's an empty suit. Why aren't others seeing that?

Bargaining - I'd love to see a dream ticket.

Depression - This is so bad. I'm not even going to bother voting in November.

Acceptance - President Obama won't be so bad.

In 2004, when my guy crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, I went through the stages as well. I ended up becoming a huge Kerry backer once I reached acceptance. This year as a Kucinich/Dodd (They were my top two and would have voted for either if they were still in it come Super Tuesday) supporter, I didn't go through the stages, as I knew deep down that neither had a shot. I was sad when they left, but I knew it was coming miles away. I was moving toward Edwards and wasn't fully invested in him, so again, I didn't go through the cycles.

This is natural, and we'll get through this (well, most of us). I hope in vain this thread doesn't get out of control ( :rofl: ) but I'm genuinely curious about HRC's supporters - what stage are you in?

[Name removed]

1. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AndyTiedye]

2. Some of Us Have Gone Through This 3 Times Just in This Primary Campaign

:crazy:

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Why, yes, I'm dealing with anticipatory grief, probably Stage 5..

And expect to treated compassionately as is appropriate in such situations.

Note: :sarcasm: applies to the last sentence.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

4. I think that's a condescending post, but anyone who is an "armchair shrink"

probably embraces that description. :evilgrin:

[sniffa]

6. I'm sorry HRC is prolonging so many of her supporters' grief

:hug:

[JVS]

5. I just keep seeing people vacillate between Denial and Anger.

[sniffa]

8. I've seen all 5 stages as I briefly stated above

There's quite a few, and they've even made threads about it, that have reached stage 5. Here's one of them: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4846044&mesg_id=4846044

[JVS]

10. Ok, a few. But I find it strange that some of them seem to regress.

Maybe they're trying to fake advancement and then just give up.

[sniffa]

11. Everyone's different

:shrug:

[JVS]

7. Theory: The more a poster has pissed and moaned about Obama supporters being young and immature...

the bigger their crybaby tantrum throw a hissyfit and cry in their teacups phase will be.

[cliffordu]

9. K & R !!!!

:kick:

[ClayZ]

12. LOL! It is getting pretty thick...

on old DU. I think those Hillarites will come around after Tuesday!


GOBAMA!

Yes we can.

[rug]

13. You left out the vultures circling stage.

Oh, no, you didn't, it's right here.

[dsc]

14. I haven't a clue as to what the five stages of winning are

but I hope that one of them is grace, as clearly this thread is showing not one sign of grace.

[NastyRiffraff]

15. Yeah, well, I don't know.

I don't hate Obama; could accept him as the nominee, but I have SERIOUS problems with some of his supporters. That includes those who lie in wait, salivating at the chance to mock and gloat if Hillary withdraws. And then those SAME people whine about people who "hate Obama." Well, guess what? Most of the time it's not Obama we hate, it's YOU.

Yes, You. You know who I'm talking to. Not the many decent Obama supporters. YOU.

You, who hijack every thread with your nasty spew every time a thread is started praising Hillary. Then, you have to nerve to ask "Why don't Hillary supporters just say nice things about their candidate???"

You. Who don't miss a chance to post a news story, an opinion column, or a pundit's bloviating so long as you believe it shows Hillary in a bad light. Never mind where it comes from...could be Drudge, could be Malkin...so what? Doesn't matter if it's an opinion...it must be true because it's anti-Hillary.

You. Who whine like two-year-olds when the "thread count" for a few days is higher for pro-Hillary than pro-Obama. Of course, like a two-year-old, you don't listen, or even understand, that these things vary.

You. Who before Super Tuesday were screeching for Hillary to drop out. And then you wonder why people think you're as dumb as dirt as well as arrogant.

You know who you are. Even some of Obama supporters try their best to tell you when you're out of
line, but you're incapable of listening, and too stupid or lazy for critical thought.

I don't know what stage I'm in, except the stage where I really despise some of Obama supporters. I won't work for Obama, because I'd never want to work with them.

[cliffordu]

16. Aww, come on....

Don't be hatin'

:hug:

[NastyRiffraff]

17. I don't hate the people I described

I just despise them...there's a difference. And you couldn't give me enough money to work with them, for their candidate. I'll just vote, just to avoid working with people like them.

Sorry, Obama. Blame some of your lame supporters if you don't get Clinton supporters "on the ground" for you. That includes some of us like myself who have worked for every Dem nominee for decades. Oh, well, according to some of your own supporters, we're neither wanted nor needed. Cool. Hope that works for you.

[tigereye]

18. I think rumors of her campaign's demise

are somewhat premature


she certainly is spending money like she intends to win.


Let's wait til its all over for any eulogy.

[sniffa]

19. I didn't give a eulogy

But, it is over, and it has been over for a month now. Spending money? How'd that work out up until Super Tuesday? The fact that she had no plan for after Super Tuesday, and that she had spent all of her money (much of it foolishly) is the reason her candidacy died on Feb. 5.

To be in denial at this date, is only putting off your road to acceptance. I hope the rest of the stages aren't that painful for you. :hug:

[tigereye]

20. usually there isn't any serious grief until after the demise -

and she still seems like she's kickin.

I don't really get why folks persist in posting this kind of stuff when it only aggravates that candidate's' supporters - and to claim her supporters (of whom I am not necessarily one) are in denial - seems kind of unkind.


Let's wait until the program is over and then we'll talk. :hi:

[rug]

22. It's the five stages of sociopathy.

[WonderGrunion]

24. I understand this is a tasteless comparison

But Hillary supporters currently appear to be the Robert and Mary Schindler's of DU.

They were Terry Schiavo's parents.

Still kicking seems to be in the eye of the beholder.

[sniffa]

25. Heh

That's a fair analogy.

[jgraz]

36. But Hillary can still smile and follow a light with her eyes!!

Paging Dr. Frist...

[sniffa]

37. ....

:rofl:

[ruggerson]

26. that was the entire point of the OP

to create division and foster more resentment.

[sniffa]

27. Some are in denial

Some are now angry. Some are bargaining. Some are depressed. And some have reached the acceptance stage.

Unkind? Probably to some. Those are the ones in the first 2 stages.

And of course you're not a HRC supporter. :hi:

[OzarkDem]

21. She's still ahead in Ohio

Sounds like the Obama folks are the ones in denial.

[Johnny__Motown]

23. many are still in denial, as if a lead in Ohio matters at this point

[Darth_Kitten]

28. doesn't this mock the grief process for anybody who is REALLY.....

going through it?

On the next note, isn't it high time for some Obama supporters to stop treating this all like a game?

[sniffa]

29. Hopefully someone can help me out here

What stage is it when you defend what HRC just said on 60 Minutes?

"Do you believe that Obama is a Muslim?"

HRC: "No, of course not. I take him at his word."

[NastyRiffraff]

32. Er....what else was she supposed to say?

I'd say the same thing, if asked. I don't know PERSONALLY what his religion is (and I don't care). So given that he'd denied it, that response was appropriate...I'm sure Hillary knows little more than I do about Obama's religious life; they're not close friends.

[JVS]

34. The full of shit and willing to justify anything stage

[sniffa]

35. Is that stage 1.5 or 2.5?

:shrug:

[Raejeanowl]

30. I'm In The Newly Added Flippin' You The Bird Stage n/t

[sniffa]

31. Not sure which stage that is

Is it the one involving, defending what a disgusting thing she did tonight on 60 Minutes?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4850793

[sniffa]

33. Thuggish kick for taking people at their word

[NightWatcher]

38. which level is "complete meltdown"? that's what I see today

peace and cupcakes