Reply #76: The only thing I can think of to add to your excellent post is...

[planetc]

The transformation of Hillary Rodham Clinton from good Senator, loyal wife, advocate for children and 9/11 victims and lots of good causes, her total transformation at the magic moment: when she ran for president. It was okay with Democrats before her presidential campaign that she was an attorney, an accomplished professional woman, wife and mother and universal health care advocate who had her own office in the west wing, but at the moment when she dared to contest a serious male candidate for the presidency, abra cadabra, presto chango! She's a witch. As long as she stayed in her place, she was okay, but when she stepped into a real race for the presidency, she suddenly has to be killed symbolically. It is not enough to say that you don't agree with her policies or approach, she has to be discovered (suddenly) to be a horror. Vile! (That's the opinion of the (female) receptionist in our office.) The obvious heat, and anger, and defensiveness of many Obama supporters gives the game away, I think. It's not enough that Sen. Obama win the nomination, his opponent has to be destroyed too.