Why would one feel compelled to defend against a personal statement? I read these accounts of why someone supports Obama--how he made them cry, or feel proud, or motivated them--and I don't get defensive because he does not "do" that for me. I don't care about my emotions anymore; I vote for practical results. On the other hand, I am interested in motivating the potential voters to consider why and under what circumstances Hillary might actually motivate people as well, instead of hearing her insulted like some piece of dried up codfish. On the other hand, if a writer wants to write an essay explaining how hate speech toward a woman candidate reminds her of recent times past, you don't need to get your panties in a bunch, either. Oppression of others, whether men or women, or of whatever race or national origin, it occurs on a daily basis--it has been made legitimate by our quest for economic success, and the result is war, poverty, and serious problems. We share that concern in common.