Losing with panache

     In a special election to redo a 2018 House race marred by republican voter fraud,  Jim Mcready, the democrat narrowly lost to the GOP candidate in a district tRump carried by double digits.
     Both parties came away with positives and negatives regarding the outcome.  The dems see further evidence that educated, middle class voters are increasingly turned off by the republican push for a second gilded age and by the face of the party today.  Republicans can say they won, no matter the margin.   Their voters in rural areas of the district still respond to the race baiter in chief and look at democrats as the party encouraging the migration of brown and black people to a neighborhood near them.   This is likely to be the message of the party in next year's general election.
    Mcready, an Iraq war vet and a moderate in his party has been campaigning for 27 straight months and will come away with his second defeat during that period.  He probably spoke with virtually every eligible voter in the gerrymandered district during that time, but his message, while effective was unable to break through the noise surrounding the election.  Too many republicans saw the election as a challenge to their tribe and responded with a vote for the GOP candidate whose main claim to fame as a state senator was his introduction of the infamous "bathroom bill".
    Losing is never easy, but Mcready showed it is possible to do with dignity and panache.   In a less partisan era, his status as a veteran and champion of the little guy would have ensured his election.  Thankfully there are still people like him who chose public service instead of private gain.