Losing isn't easy. Being constantly reminded of loss can be cruel.
As the world's media and political strategists departed the US capital from Washington Dulles International Airport, there were stomach-churning reminders of the week that was.
Kamala Harris' merchandise was widely advertised as 50% off.
Red 'clearance' stickers were seen on Joe Biden's stock.
Trump t-shirts, mugs and MAGA hats were on display at full price.
Hey, that's politics.
Political whiplash
The Democratic Party is working through a serious case of political whiplash.
Heads are spinning from the historic election that was a crushing blow to Democrats.
Kamala Harris lost the White House to a former president and now convicted felon who has also twice been impeached by the House of Representatives.
There is a strong chance Republicans will control both houses of Congress.
Shock and horror continue to rip through the party as long-time incumbent Democratic Senators like Jon Tester and Bob Casey come to terms with losing their seats.
Democrats are not only losing representation, but they are also losing their people.
Donald Trump chipped away at Democratic support in reliably blue Chicago.
He also became the first ever Republican candidate to win the Latino-dominated Miami-Dade in Florida.
The GOP picked up support in nearly every single state in what has been described as the 'biggest red wave' since Ronald Reagan in 1984.
So, what happened?
The Economy
Kamala Harris' vision for the future of the country, especially when it came to the economy, did not resonate with voters.
Polling was consistent in showing that most Americans trusted Donald Trump more with economic affairs.
The writing on the wall came when exit polls from the likes of Georgia showed that the most important issue for voters in that state was the economy.
The Vice President's plan to help those feeling the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis with a child tax credit, no tax on tips, first-time buyers help was not enough to convince voters that life would change for them under a Harris administration.
While the pace of inflation has slowed, those living in the US continue to struggle with high prices at shops and petrol stations.
Americans feel like they are losing.
For many, the status quo is not sustainable.
A revealing poll from the New York Times a few weeks ago showed that a majority of Americans did not think government was working for them and most wanted radical change when it comes to the economy and inflation.
Donald Trump successfully tapped into that frustration by creating a narrative that the Democrats are there to serve themselves and elites.
Kamala HQ rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous did not help matters.
Celebrity endorsements were not needed for the final hours of the campaign.
What was needed was a strong path and plan for the future.
Voters clearly saw Kamala Harris complicit for the current state of economic affairs.
With the shortest presidential campaign in America's history, she recoiled from separating herself from Joe Biden and shape her own candidacy.
Was this down to time or loyalty? Probably a bit of both.
Closing Arguments
Part of Kamala Harris’ closing argument was an attack on Donald Trump's character including calling him a "fascist".
Anti-Trump Republicans were sounding the alarm over this strategy.
They were worried that the economy and immigration were not the ultimate top of her agenda.
The day before the election, Ariel Hill-Davis, from Republican Women for Progress told RTÉ’s States of Mind podcast: "My gut is right now... I'm a little worried they've leaned too strongly into fascism.
"At some point we've known all of these things. The statements from his former cabinet members and people that have worked closely with him hasn't moved a lot of voters in the past so I'm not sure that I think that is where she should be focusing right now."
Her focus on abortion also fell short.
The issue failed to drive the turnout she needed as other topics were more salient.
Only 14% of voters cited abortion as their top issue in the presidential race.
Joe Biden
Problems also lie in that concerns were raised well in advance of the election about Joe Biden's ability to serve a second time.
When running for president in 2020, he promised he would be a one-term president - a transitional figure away from the chaotic and unpredictable years of the Trump administration.
It was supposed to offer the Democrats time to nurture and establish a new leader for the party.
Whether it was Joe Biden's stubborn 'Irish streak' or his genuine belief that he was the only one who could beat Donald Trump, his delay in stepping aside as the Democratic candidate put Kamala Harris on the backfoot.
Donald Trump had spent months courting relevant podcast hosts, influencers and online personalities following advice from his youngest son, Barron.
Once in the race, a seemingly reluctant Kamala Harris left it too late in the day to do the same thing.
One-to-one interviews with national media were few and far between until the last few weeks.
Talks for appearing on the Joe Rogan collapsed in the 11th hour.
The podcast host has more viewers than the hosts of CNN, MSNBC and ABC combined.
The blame game was already beginning before election day.
Brett Bruen, who served under Barack Obama, said during the week: "Obviously a lot of us were concerned that Biden simply didn't have it in the gas tank to go another four years.
"If Harris loses this race, it will come down to the fact that Biden hung on too long."
Leadership and learning
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders said that the Democrats lost because they failed working-class voters.
He said that "it should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find the working class had abandoned them".
"While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they're right," he said in a statement.
"Straight-up BS" is how the Democratic chair Jaime Harrison described his comments.
Latest US Election 2024 stories
John F Kennedy once said that "leadership and learning are indispensable to each other".
Hilary Clinton still blames James Comey, the FBI and Russia for her 2016 election loss.
She lost because Donald Trump gave rural and small-town working-class voters a place in the Republican party.
The realignment of working-class voters and out-of-touch Democratic Party has just helped Donald Trump secure him another term in office.
Kamala Harris should not blame outside forces for her loss.
To lead again, the Democratic Party needs to recognise and learn from its mistakes.
It can all start with a simple admittance: It’s not you, it’s me.
