Are the Republicans in the first stages of the grieving process?

[CTyankee]

The Kubler-Ross formulation of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance might already have started. Watching Joe Scarborough this week I have seen remarkable mood swings: he was ranting (Anger) on Monday since all attempts at Denial over the past few disastrous weeks have proven futile. But he was still holding out for the Romney campaign to "turn this thing around if..." (Bargaining). By Wednesday we witnessed him covering his face with both hands at a devastating Romney clip (Depression). I still think he oscillates a bit between Bargaining and Depression. How long will that last?

When do you think we see him and other Republicans in the public eye in full Acceptance mode?

[DCBob]

1. I think most are still in the denial stage.

but nearing anger.

[CTyankee]

3. something in me senses a budding Acceptance feeling growing with

Ryan and with Ann, who increasingly look disgusted with the whole process and as if they want to walk away from the mess. The Dead Enders of the party are stuck in Denial and Anger and flailing around.

Everything is breaking bad for this Campaign. There is no good news for them. David Corn just found another damning video where he talks about Bain "harvesting" companies after fattening them up, summoning up an alarming visual (harvesting organs came to my mind).

Between old videos and Romney's stupid, clumsy moves, Ryan's lying and Ann's screed about "you people" we have classic horror film right here playing out on the national stage...

[CanonRay]

2. Then they will slide into anger and stay there for four more years.

It's the stage where they are most comfortable. Forget bargaining.

[CTyankee]

4. No, I think we're seeing the Kubler-Ross meaning of "bargaining,"

which usually goes something like this: "If they can hammer the message of X or Y....if they can get new staff in there...if they use this message in stead of that message..." I saw Pat Buchanan doing it on Election night while the returns were coming in, right up to when Ohio was called for Obama...then Pat went silent. It was stunning to watch...

[arthritisR_US]

5. They lack the intestinal fortitude to maneuver

through all the stages successfully. They will inevitably get stuck in anger and once again we will see another 300% rise in hate groups. Disrespect for the presidency which we thought had reach an all time low will spiral downward precipitately. Claims of a democratic theft of the office will soar and unless more down ticket democrats win, the gridlock will reach levels unimagined. I just have no faith in the repoops to navigate their way to acceptance.

[CTyankee]

7. The thing about Acceptance is that typically one doesn't navigate their own

way to it. Acceptance happens to you. When I suddenly lost a beloved family member two years ago I simply could not pull myself out of grief. It was an impossible thing for me to do. But one day, I realized that Acceptance had come to me, not as a thundering jolt but just an ability, a feeling that I had passed over a bridge from one place to another.

I think this is what will happen to most Republicans but you are probably right about some being "stuck" in Anger for a very long time. Dreams die hard deaths and lots of time they reify themselves. I kinda expect that. But for this campaign, mostly this process will play out, at least for those among us who will remain Republicans...

[lunatica]

6. They're still in the death watch state

The stages of grief can only start when Romney loses. They're still in that stage where a miracle could happen and Romney would live after all. There's still hope but it's diminishing.

[CTyankee]

8. Yes, it is surprisingly early for the death watch which you usually don't expect

until the final two or three weeks of the campaign, if then (I remember being so cheerful walking to my polling place in 2004). The flipping of the Swing States in recent days must have been a harrowing experience for the Republicans...

[davidpdx]

9. I think much like Homer Simpson when he was told he was going to die

They'll go straight from denial to depression. After that I'll give them a map of a route to the nearest cliff.

And now for a good laugh...