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Honestly, the vitriol that has been targeted at Obama supporters--that we are dreamers on cloud nine, supposedly; the insults about our intelligence; the mockery of the votes in supposedly lesser or unimportant states; the overall specious arguments about gender; the specious and insulting arguments about Obama's voting demographic, that they can get to vote because they are privileged and can take time out, which is patently untrue; many, if not most of us, juggle careers, excruciating long working hours, raise children, like all other Americans--have all have been indicative of how Obama supporters have been demonized and dehumanized.
Furthermore, Obama's appeal has been reduced to a mere fad. I am appalled by the lack of civility from the Clinton supporters. What is interesting about Clinton supporters is the facade of civility they project (yes, I am generalizing), while folding within that facade vicious barbs and nasty innuendos.
I respect your support for Clinton. You have your reasons. I don't agree with them, but I genuinely do respect them.
However, the constant attacks on Obama supporters has been going on since Iowa, and it is only recently that Obama supporters have been fighting back--possibly not with the tact we should be exercising, but one thing that is obvious in these primaries is that if one is hit, then one must hit back. If swift boating has taught us anything, it is that lies stick.
One thing that must be said about the Clinton--and I am not speaking about Clinton supporters--is the lack of civility she has demonstrated. She has consistently refused to make concession gestures, and that is so petty, it is hard not to equate that level of pettiness to that of her supporters. She wants to seat delegates from states that she agreed would not be included. She has insulted large blocks of voters by dismissing them are being irrelevant. It is hard not to take these as personal attacks, and distasteful ones at that.
What disturbs me about your post is your assertion that you will not vote for Obama regardless. Your contribution to the democratic party is rather moot at this point, so I am not even sure why I am responding to you. Maybe it is because I recognize that there have been below the belt hits from both camps of supporters, and that is unfortunate. If you want Obama to lose if he is the Democratic nominee, then that does reinforce my impression of Clinton supporters.
Look, there is a HUGE chasm between the two camps. Quite possibly at this point, we don't like each other. That's fine. But at least acknowledge that we are all being spiteful.
Also, the race is hardly over. Clinton may win the nomination. As long as she doesn't win it by seating Michigan and Florida delegates or by strong arming delegates, that is, if she wins because of popular votes and consequent delegates, then all power to her. If she doesn't, she can still use her 35 years of experience and turn that into 75 years of experience. Service to her nation doesn't depend on her becoming president.
