Hate to say it but Krugman's got a point. In the last San Francisco mayor's race we saw Matt Gonzalez' supporters go so completey over the top in smearing Newsom that they killed their candidate. I was leaning toward Gonzalez - he's my local supe and he seemed like he'd be a great mayor - but his supporters turned the campaign into some ridiculous cultish crusade and they scared away all but the most fervent Gonzales-worshippers.

I'm a middle-aged liberal fellow and I voted for Obama. I'm just saying, watch it...

Look, Matt Gonzales wasn't some nutty liberal. He had some smart, straightforward plans about mixed-use outer neighborhood creation, public/private developments around new rail ines, etc. His Transbay redevelopment plan was very interdisplinary and would have been good for developers and middle income familiies. All good stuff. You see, his views and ideas were pretty resaonable, but if you went to a Gonzales rally or saw the home-made signs unfairly bashing Newsome, you'd think he was a nutty liberal. Obama is in another league altogether -- I get it. But the Gonzales campign is, at least, a cautionary tale.

I'm an Obama supporter - proud of it. As such I realize that I have to represent the man and his ideas to some degree.

I been working on Obama's campaign but I am seriously rethinking my position now. If this fellow can't even unite the Democratic party, how's he going to deliver on his promise of healing and uniting this country?

I am tired of taking bullets for the guy. From the Rev. Wright thing, to the sub-par health care plan (yes, I know Clinton's plan is more progressive). For his shoddy voting record on the environment, for his campaign finances being by lobbyists and rapacious wall street types,(then giving a hypocritical speech railing against lobbyists). The pandering NAFTA flip-flop, the lack of a definitive plan to end the war, the lame bowling experience (yes, I even defended him on that against the howls of delighted laughter).

Now we have the out-of-touch "bitter" speech which just makes him seem like a more elitist, divisive character than ever. Not only was that a rookie mistake, it smelled of pandering to his donor base on a ridiculous level.

I've simply lost too much blood standing in the line of fire and it's only mid-April. No can do no more. I'm done.

Like all politicians Barack is a half-empty vessel with particular financial masters. But worse, he's political greenhorn and a potentially massive general election mistake.

Yes, Clinton's a tireless triangulating political operator. And I guess she's polarizing to a lot of people, too. But at least we know what we get with her. She doesn't stand on some unrealistically high ideological pedastal from which she is bound to plummet. I am afraid we are still peeling back the onion layers with Barack.

Does that mean I can not change my mind? I have been defending him for months to Clinton supporters. Is it ok for me to stop doing so now?

...to solicit donations from my personal contacts. I wasn't exactly in the inner-circle of his campaign strategy, mind you, but I was a part the team in some way. I was a believer. I'd hardly say I made any difference but I did raise a small amount of money from some folks and I did spend a ton of time trying to convert Clinton (and McCain) supporters. I think I convinced some people about Obama and I also learned more about him and Clinton in the process. The more I learned, the closer the gap became. Laugh if you will, but it is the first time I became involved in a campaign in any way.

As such, I tried to explain Obama's positions and defended them against attacks. To be responsible, and as a courtesy, I researched some of claims by the other side. Some of his positions I had no problem defending, but many I had real difficulties with. I came to the conclusion that I was comfortable with either candidate getting my vote in November. But I couldn't just reflexively defend Obama anymore. I support Barack and Clinton equally now. I also think people should save their money in order to support the Democratic candidiate in the general election.

I'm just a little guy, but I tried to do my part. I went in rather blindly and I am finding Obama is a lot like all the rest. He will do what he has to do to be elected and if you follow the money you will se who and what he will serve if he gets to the White House. Same with Clinton. I'm just getting behind the party now and I won't shed a tear or jump for joy if either is the nominee. Anyone who says there is a vast difference between the two Democratic candidates is having trouble understanding how money works in the elective process.

Sorry if I offended anyone.