Gore-Lieberman/McCain-Palin

Back in 2000, the Supreme Court gave George W. Bush the presidency even though the majority, and the majority in Florida voted for Al Gore. Al Gore recovered nicely, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Joe Lieberman, the losing vice-presidential candidate in 2000, lost the Democratic primary in 2006, but nonetheless retained his Senate seat in Connecticut. For all his trouble, he will soon lose his Homeland Security chairmanship in the Senate for supporting the losing presidential candidate of the opposing party and trash talking against the victorious party where he has caucused.

Gore ascended after being denied the presidency. Lieberman appears to be in descent toward irrelevance. [Update: Even though Lieberman kept the chairmanship, with nearly the lowest approval ratings of any senator ever, the point stands.]

What will happen with McCain-Palin?

John McCain has a true shot at real leadership upon his defeat. His concession speech indicates the character of a man that might actually accomplish the goal Barack Obama more often verbalized-- that of bringing the country together.

Sarah Palin, on the other hand, has become defensive upon her defeat. Though a majority of Republicans see her as their party's next presidential candidate, and she will certainly remain relevant for a while, one can imagine her becoming a Democratic in 2016, after eight years of being fed up with what many Republicans say about her.