Disappointed

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Reflecting on the outcome of the election, one emotion stands out.

I’m disappointed.

I’m disappointed that my country is even more divided than before.

I’m disappointed that, apparently, the best candidate the Republicans could nominate was nakedly bigoted, dishonest, and the least popular candidate for president on record.

I’m disappointed that, apparently, the best candidate the Democrats could nominate was, while knowledgeable and experienced, reflexively secretive, careless, and the second least popular candidate for president on record.

I’m disappointed that sexism against Clinton seemingly hurt her campaign more than Trump’s sexism hurt his.

I’m disappointed that the winner of the popular vote likely lost the election for the fifth time in American history.

I’m disappointed that the leading third parties nominated on the one hand, someone, at best, totally unable to communicate his knowledge of foreign policy, and on the other hand, someone whose signature policy relies on a misunderstanding of how the federal reserve works.

I’m disappointed that third parties continue to face an electoral system stacked against them.

I’m disappointed that our system continues to disenfranchise poor, black, latino, and other minority voters through cuts to early voting, poorly implemented voter ID measures, and mass incarceration.

I’m disappointed that journalists and campaigns treated outlier polls as representative, probabilistic forecasts as certainties, and standard variance as proof a pollster is incompetent.

I’m disappointed that supporters of all candidates, including myself, jumped to conclusions, assumed the worst, and shared misinformation.


Of course, however you feel about the outcome, it’s necessary to move beyond initial reactions, whether by protesting, volunteering, praying, starting conversations, or taking a break from politics 1.

I hope to move on, and soon. For the moment, though, I’m still disappointed.


  1. Matt Mueller has a longer list at On Milwaukee