These last few days have been tough for me as for many of you here. I have to admit, shallow though it is, it stings a little to have my lifetime electoral batting average reduced to 2-for-3. There are (ahem) slightly more important issues at stake for the next four years and beyond, and considering all the time and work that may be needed to correct significant damage to our great nation has my head spinning. My remedy of choice has been a withdrawal into willful ignorance, avoiding the radio shows, the columns, the news, and most of all any conversation on the subject.

One particular chat could not be avoided, however; reluctantly I discussed with my friend, among other things, how it was possible that even our fellow North Carolinians could be so bamboozled. In this particular conversation, he unleashed upon me a horrible statement that has come to haunt me. It was as follows:

“I can only hope that the Obama presidency is as bad as possible and people will be able to see their own idiocy.”

Now, I know at face value this doesn’t seem so bad – certainly not anything that should “haunt” any normal person. It was positively terrifying for me, however, because I agreed. There, I confess: I’m guilty. In my disappointment and uncertainty in the days following the election, my gut reaction was to wish for vindication above all else – consequences be damned. And in this, I became those things that I hate when I see it on the left: wanting victory only for ego’s sake, desiring power over the nation’s good, and merely ridiculing the other side instead of affirming the benefits of my own positions.

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