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• Wednesday, June 4, 2008 12:06 PM

  Distressing but not surprising

  Hillary Clinton's failure to concede is distressing, particulary her whiny suggestion that those who voted for her are treated as "voiceless". Absurd. We all need to come together and every single one of us must now enusre that our love of country (hell, planet) trumps our love of candidate.

  The NYTimes article on the frame of mind that allows Mrs. Clinton to create alternate realities, to the point that she repeats them (a la Bosnia), was the best psycho-political piece I've read during this election. I fervently wish there were much more such examinations of all of the candidates by qualified experts. This is essential modern information, the nature of character and personality, and surely there should be psycho-pundits helping mediate our understanding of our leaders. It's not a "soft" science any more.

  Her behavior puts me in mind of this quote, from one of many web sites on Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD):

  "Narcissistic immunity is the (erroneous) feeling, harboured by the narcissist, that he is immune to the consequences of his actions. That he will never be affected by the results of his own decisions, opinions, beliefs, deeds and misdeeds, acts, inaction and by his membership in certain groups. That he is above reproach and punishment (though not above adulation). That, magically, he is protected and will miraculously be saved at the last moment."

  I believe her refusal to cleanly and graciously concede is not a sign of courage or gumption, but of underlying pathology.

  NPD is something I've made an amateur study of for many years. Hillary (and Bill, and many many other politicians) fit the bill. Obama may have his arrogant moments (until Michelle reminds him, "We've got ants") but I read his "cool" as the reserve of an essentially introverted man, not someone who is overconvinced of his own superiority. I just don't see him as arrogant, though I'm sure he knows he's intelligent. (I can't bring myself to dislike him for being intelligent. Not for a nukular minute.)

  Hillary is arrogant, in my view, but that's a side effect of narcissism, which is partly genetic and partly acquired,, so I certainly don't hate her for it, any more than I'd hate a rhino for being a rhino. I believe she places her own ambition above what is best for her country. "Divisive" is more than a word, it's the natural consequence of NPD, which causes its sufferers to triangulate incessantly in order to maximize the sympathy and attention they can direct toward themselves. (The triangulation in this case is her encouraging her supporters, subtly, to be and feel and stay aggrieved). I hope Obama does not consider offering her the VP slot. Whoever observed that her remark about him having "just a speech" to qualify him as CIC would make a great attack ad is exactly right.

  I hope Obama has the judgment to know that even though it will make his campaign for the GE more difficult in some areas and with some aggrieved audiences, taking on Hillary as VP is not worth the risk of a shiv in the back. Narcissists never, ever forgive, and they can carry a grudge into their graves. They will commit all manner of mayhem along the way, because they can't help it. Like the scorpion who stung the frog who was giving him a ride across the river, it's their nature. And with NPD, it truly is wired in, very very deeply.

  Obama needs to maximize in every conceivable way the diversity, skill, intelligence and innovative imagination of his advisors and most powerful appointees. He will offer her an appropriate role, and if she wants to serve her country and her president, she'll accept it.

  —Lobelia Read Lobelia's other letters
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