Upfront, let's make sure everyone understands I know Obama enjoys thoughtful informed support from a wide demographic.  So no one needs to hop on and remind us all that fifty year olds support Obama too and for all the right reasons.  This diary conceded that up front.
I'm a semi-regular shopper at the Ann Arbor Whole Foods Market.  In my experiences I've always found those who work there to be almost overly friendly and helpful.  Yesterday was different.
Seeing the long faces there and feeling for the first time what sure seemed like hostility towards my old white female self got me thinking, and not about Whole Foods. (it's just where I jumped off)  
Yesterday was a very difficult day  for young Obama supporters and perhaps a little thoughtful compassion is in order.

I was actually a little too young to be a full blown RFK fan but I do remember my college aged sister knocking on doors for him in Indiana.  I also clearly remember arguing along side my friend with her older brother and father about the desperate need for Edward Kennedy to win the nomination over Carter.  The argument ended in surpress tears.  Gawd how I hated Carter!  

Every generation finds it's political standard bearer -- the first guy who really gets it finally -- a politician who seems poised to break through the next barrier and free the youth from the political tyranny of the old.  My oldest sister had her Kennedy, my middle sister had hers, I had mine. (and George McGovern) And it hurts like hell when reality starts to settle onto youthful hope and enthusiasm.  It's not as easy as really believing in a guy and doing whatever you can to help him -- heroes can and do lose and sometimes badly and when they do it cuts like a knife as our first chunk of idealism is amputated.

Yesterday in Whole Foods the young man in the produce section was downright rude to me and that was so out of expectation it threw my eyes open. All around me young people stood at their stations looking like someone shot their dog at 2AM the night before. Yesterday was not easy for them.

Welcome to politics, said as someone who's nursed a number of broken hearts and still stayed involved up to my eyeballs.  No need to go hysterical -- we won't "lose the youth vote" or perpetually disenfranchise an entire generation if Obama does not take the nomination.  Those who first came to politics through him and loved it will stick around; those who only came for the man and the show will leave it at least more familiar with the electoral college; those who come to hate all things political from the experience wouldn't have had the legs for it anyway.

Change never has and never will happen over night.  The next generation never has and never will have power simply handed to them just in asking for it.  Nothing worth fighting for is ever realized without a long bitter struggle.  

Until recently I taught on a number of college campuses and know well how passionately young people are swept up by the things they care about.  In the spirit of rebuilding the party, progressive solidarity and blog goodwill I'd like to make a suggestion -- be extra nice to a young Obama supporter this week.  Take the insults with a grain of salt.  Show them good sportsmanship.  Remember yourself and your heroes at their age.

It's been one hell of a week to be a young Obama supporter as the media turns on him, two bad stories broke, his ever upwards numbers began eroding and Tuesday fell apart for him.  The race is far from over but their hero has taken his first tumble.  Anger is always a cover emotion for fear and pain.  Treat them gently.