From The Analects (1.16):

The Master said: "Don’t grieve when people fail to recognize your ability.  Grieve when you fail to recognize theirs.

    Are you listening Joe?  Confucius is telling you to give it up.  It’s not about you anymore Joe.  You lost.  Ned is okay. The people said "no."  Take a long vacation and do some soul-searching (reading the Chinese classics is quite enlightening).   And if you need another passage from the Analects to get you started, try 4.14:

The Master said: "Don’t worry if you have no position: worry about making yourself worthy of one.  Don’t worry if you aren’t known and admired: devote yourself to a life that deserves admiration."

     Don’t worry, Joe.  The country can get along without you.  Take a break.  Read a book.  Spend a little more time with the family….