and I think Obama's ability to skillfully hew to that image was phenomenal TIL we started hearing every week after N.H and S.C about how the Clintons were racist for the most bland campaign rhethoric , it started to seem like things perceived in this Roshamon like prism from those hearing it .It was when these kind of complaints began to surface not occasionally, but continuously that I think a lot of upper class white as well as working class voters thought "oh , so its gonna be like that , it's not really post racial, its the same old thing -the race card thing "

Perhaps working class voters identified with a Hilary who was frozen out and lambastedjust the way people are at work for an inoportune statement , not even realizing that some people seem attuned to find racism very easily( and some even make their living from it) and use it for gain. Given that racism IS endemic in the U.S its going to take some tolerance for all but the most blantant remarks for people to learn how to discuss it without the consequence of being labeled and ostracized with the word "racist" '

We need to practice, desperately. but what this campaign said to me is apparently there's no second chances , especially if there's political gain to be had in the accusation. I understand thats asking a lot from some people who have been waiting a very long time to speak their truth to power.

That Jeremiah Wright had not been put behind Obama, sometime before the race, much less given a campaign post was , was not the mark of a savvy politician and I think finished off Obam's post racial positioning, which I think held great promise and which he naturally embodies. That held a promise of a leap over the abyss .Now I think we're going to have hike , mile by painful mile through our racial divide.

Your article was sad .How hard it seems to satisfy all our many "needs." and remain vibrant human beings.I think tribal life or Kibbutzes may be the answer. Children need to feel secure and only many people around can meet our need for socialization without the cliff hangers inherent in our romantic marriage model. The nuclear family, much less single parenthood is just not up to the intense energy and sensitivity children possess .

Although Obama may have benefitted from sexism I don't really blame him much for the bitterness.Most women who supported H.C probably could have shifted their support easily since the issues are not THAT much different. But Obama supporters remarks have been so caustic , so searing and so misogynistic and ageist that they have all but burned the bridge between what has a long alliance between many women and anti racist workers.

Post after post I searched for other Obama supporters to condemn such attacks but almost never found any. If I find his campaign responsible for delegating this campaign of hate I will sit out this race. From this vantage point it seems that he himself has frequently paid respect to Clinton and her followers. Given that ,I don't understand how he can "fix" the fracture.

But his supporters could do much mending by starting to repent for their" murders committed in the heat of passion " and cease immediately with their venom .

I frequently see Obama supporters reminding Clinton supporters to shut up and get with the program, despite having been called racists, bitter old bitches & one issue candidates for the last several months.They have descended to levels of sexist insults, the equivalent of which, in racist terms are no longer tolerated in civil discourse..They then remind them that Dems will risk the Supreme Court if these Hilary supporters don't get behind Obama.

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If these Obama supporters are really so concerned about the Supreme Court ,I think it would be wise to turn around and remind their own overrighteous and frequently hostile Obama campers of this risk.. those that are apparently willing to makeall Dems pay the price by never letting up, even in victory.

And they should do it in the same no- nonsense, get -over -yourself way they address the Clintonites.

If you REALLY support Obama , pay as much attention to creating peace as you have to donating, campaigning and being continuously outraged online.

Being outraged after your candidate has WON is even MORE narcissitc than thinking of voting for McCain in vengeance ,

If your need to be righteous & morally superior to others is more important than giving people space to come to terms with the loss of their hope, I call that narcissism. Many of them have been Dems for decades , working to turn racism , sexism , ageism and evry other kind of injustice around and then to have those slurs used against them by other Dems has compounded their loss. In my opinion you have to give people an opening to come around, but some zealous Obama supporters just can't seem imagine (or don't care) how they might feel ,if the shoe was on the other foot.

I'm not even gonna get into the issue of handicapping your own candidate by keeping the hate alive.

Please don't give yur power away to a politician.. ..