Reply #130: I am exploiting a racial argument? Seriously?! You exasperate me to the point of tears.

[Lucky 13]

This honestly has nothing to do with me supporting "my candidate". Obama was never my first choice. After John Edwards left, I even supported Hillary. I'm not beholden to Barack or anyone.

I, as a human being and a progressive Democrat, have a problem with some of her statements. If I don't express my disappointment with the statements I feel I am not standing up for what's right. If I do express my disappointment with the statements, I get accused of exploiting race.

Even when I WAS a Clinton supporter, anytime I expressed disappointment with the nastiness and negativity, I've was essentially told to STFU. I'm accused of exploiting race if I say that I take offense at Hillary's racially charged comments. It's circular logic and the old neo-con tactic of blaming the enemy for your own sins. It's maddening and shows no respect for people who have differences of opinion. You are either beaten into submission or forced to leave. I WILL NEVER submit to the use of racial tactics. I WILL NEVER submit to damaging the party. I was FORCED to end my support of her.

I just don't understand why the Clinton campaign and their supporters have such a difficult time accepting criticism and adjusting. You guys assume that just because someone is being critical of a message or tactic that they are the ENEMY. Wrong. They are just letting you know that your message isn't coming off well to the public. You are at least being PERCEIVED as racist or ruthless or whatever. All it would take is a slight tweak in message or tone for her to come off much better and increase her appeal. But repeatedly you just shoot the messenger and turn up the volume.

I have repeatedly expressed my respect for you, bigtree. I've never spoken to you in a nasty way. I've commended you on good posts from both candidates' perspectives. But whatever. Accuse me of exploiting race because I express when I find a politician's statments racially inflammatory. Accuse me of being a sexist or a homophobe. Get mean when we have a difference of opinion. Shoot the messenger. Silence the opposition. Whatever you need to do. I give up.