I get frustrated not being able to read everything posted on the web. I look at Sarah’s latest post, which takes me to Annika’s site, which takes me to Danny O’Brien’s analysis of the Dean implosion. (Whew!)
Danny educates us with Kubler-Ross’s Five Stages Of Dying: A Case Study. The five stages are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. It fits.
I look at it beyond Dean, however. As I read this I couldn’t help but think of the entire Democratic Party. It’s demise would be a terrible thing for this country. But it is like an alcoholic who hasn’t yet hit rock bottom, and doesn’t know he needs to join AA.
Many people join AA, but aren’t quite ready for the personal commitment to make the program work. I’ve been very close to several people in AA, and have attended quite a few meetings with them. It is a commitment in physical and spiritual ways. The Democratic Party is almost there, and as an organization, must avoid the five stages and, instead, work on their own 12 steps.
Denial: This stage began in 2000. There are still remnants even today. In spite of numerous recounts in Florida which confirmed Bush’s win, some continue to believe he was “selected, not elected.”
Anger: Democrats have been in this stage almost from the beginning–probably since even before the 2000 election. Dean tapped into this.
Bargaining: Kerry’s war and anti-war record vs. Bush’s Air National Guard record. This hasn’t been an attack on Bush as much as it has been a bargaining chip. The sense I get from Democratic leadership is that “If you don’t bring it up, we won’t either” in regards to Vietnam.
Depression: This will come if Bush is reelected. There will be no hope left.
Acceptance: Here will be their best chance to fend off the Grim Reaper. They cannot simply accept defeat, but be willing to look at themselves honestly and ask, “Why?” Their own 12 steps.
I think Bill and Hillary already understand this. She will be ready to step in and bring the Party back toward reality. And they will be willing, oh so willing, to follow. The only question then will be whether she pushes them off the wagon.