Delirious

For some time now I've thought of allegiance to a candidate as very similar to the fandom that follows sports teams. Rooting deliriously for our favorite team is, after all, as American as overeating.

We wear shirts and hats and fake tattoos to show our enthusiasm and let the team/candidate and others know that we're behind them no matter how poorly they perform. We're not fairweather fans, we are loyalists. We'll argue and throw down against anyone who demeans and disparages our guy(s), even if they're right. Just doesn't matter. 

We become convinced play by play, talking point by talking point, that we understand the game and we won't be distracted or dissuaded by cogent arguments, statistics, final scores, win/loss records or facts.

We're enamored of the fake punt, the fake handoff, the misdirection, and the outFOXing of those who would criticize the decisions and outcomes that we eagerly rationalize and adopt.

We are acolytes, apologists, sycophants  and downright homers for our team/candidate, right or wrong. It's the American way. But perhaps it shouldn't be.