When I read comparisons of candidates that border on infatuation (say, comparing a single-term junior senator to a romanticized version of a veteran actor), I'm reminded that Kool-Aid comes in all kinds of yummy flavors.. and that no one is exempt from chugging from the pitcher from time to time.
Usually it takes a major upset (say, a surprise 3rd place finish in a rural primary) to get one off the Kool-Aid but all in all, it's a good thing - you take a step back, clean yourself up, and come back at the race a little more self-critical and accurate.
The lucky ones get off it sooner rather than later. The unlucky ones wait too long to find out if their expectations match up with reality, and it's often too late to make corrections.
Some of my favorite flavors:
Deanberry Punch
Cherry Clark Chiller
Kooky Kerry
Mulled Millworker Cider
Loopy Lieberman (out of stock)