I’ve noticed that in the last few months of an American general election people lose their minds. Their natural tendency to have instant opinions about every issue that comes up, before they understand the issue, or even that there is one, starts to take over all brain function. My brethren here at NRO are just as susceptible as everyone else. 

On Akin, let’s accept as a considered judgment that he should step aside for the good of his party as it heads into one of the most momentous elections of our lifetimes. But let’s also realize that this is a congressman–and a campaign, and a far-flung network of supporters–that did not jump out of thin air just in time to become the national punching bag. For Congressman Akin and his many supporters, withdrawing from a race that took so much effort and commitment over such a long period of time, over something like this, must feel like God himself rose up and kicked them all in the stomach for no good reason. After all, Akin’s error was not one of moral turpitude, nor of ethics, nor much less any sort of crime; compared to the many politicians who have betrayed the public trust, got caught, and lived to prosper in the world of politics, it really is the sort of mistake that one might forgive, and even offer consolation for.  

Insist that he withdraw from the race, okay. If it’s necessary for the good of the party then he will surely draw the right conclusion. But in light of how much he and his supporters have invested in his time of service and his candidacy in this race, it’s only understandable that he didn’t bounce right out of the race the moment that we all decided he should–which by the way was only a moment after we knew anything about him at all.  It’s only understandable that he hoped the crisis would pass as quickly as it had arisen–and decided to tough it out at least for a few days. His withdrawal is likely imminent. So here’s a warning: It would be unseemly, and bad karma, to slam the door behind him as if his career in public service, and his commitment to values we all share, suddenly have no value and mean nothing.

Instant indignation is among the most dehumanizing and zoologically embarrassing aspects of democratic politics. So this election season, let’s please try to temper the instant gratification of instant indignation with a bit of Christian charity, historical detachment, and good sport.