We've seen it thrown around on both sides of a very competitive race. From very passionate supporters of each candidate. Full disclosure: I am a TN resident, and if Obama doesn't win the nomination, I will vote third party green this fall. I can do that relatively guilt-free, as neither Barack nor Hillary is winning this state.
I will NOT go into why I would vote like that, but rather part of what I think that particular reaction is (for those on both sides who hold this view).
I am 37-year-old life-long Dem, never voted anything but Dem on any ticket. I have also, for the first time ever, been fully tuned into and emotionally and financially invested in a candidate and campaign. First time I have ever donated money (and have done it several times). First time I have ever volunteered at a local level. First time for sticker-on-car. The whole nine yards. My chips are in the middle of the table, and my heart is on my sleeve. I have never really experienced this before. Never.
I mention all that, and know that I am not alone in that. Plenty of Obama supporters are similar (judging from the hundreds of thousands of small-time donors to his campaign). And, frankly, that above paragraph could certainly have been written by any of a number of Clinton supporters. Her candidacy is historic in its own right, and plenty of her supporters are rightfully invested emotionally and financially in that campaign.
So, when you have this kind of rabid emotional (and financial) investment in a campaign (on both sides), the normal give and take of political discourse and argument appears to become more personal. Slights (real or imagined) are felt quicker and nurtured longer. Anger develops and lingers. I know I am not the only one that has felt that pull. This, I feel, is particularly the case when you have invested time, money, and service to a campaign, as so many of us (activists by nature to linger on a board like D-Kos) have (and for the first time). Do what folks in the Clinton and Obama camps of supporters have done, and it ratchets up the tension and all the rest that comes with it.
This is not to advocate that people move beyond that. I would not be so presumptuious (sp?). For some folks, the anger at a chance to see a candidate they truly believe in make a run at the White House going by the wayside will breed an I'm-not-going-to-vote for (insert Dem winner here) that is heartfelt and real. I believe that it is the by-product of two historic campaigns and two highly motivated bases of support. It is unprecedented in my lifetime, and, I would suspect I am not alone in that.
The winner of the nomination will have a lot of work to do in order to sooth hurt feelings from the other camp. Some feelings will not be able to be soothed. That is a very real and unfortunate consequence of this peculiar (and rather exciting) moment in history. But for those who are confused about why these hard feeling are occuring, try and appreciate how unusual and new this kind of fervor for a candidate is for so very many of us on both sides of this race for the Dem nomination. And the disappointment that will be profound for whichever camp doesn't win. And that such disaapointment is natural and logic won't necessarily fix it. Heck, think for a moment how many Edwards supporters have already been through this and respect their pain.
My suggestion? For those that feel they cannot vote for their non-favorite candidate and express same, let them be. Their reasons are likely extremely personal and, frankly, rational for each person. In the end, hopefully, it will be ok. For the time being, it would be awesome if everyone could take a deep breath and try, for a moment, to understand the fervor in the other camp and respect same. If this could be done, maybe the name-calling from both sides (Hillbots! Zealots! Kids! Past your bedtime! Racist! Sexist!) would cease, or at least be turned down from "11". This is a historic moment. Feelings are running high on both sides. They should be. Try and respect that on both sides, and we would all be better off.
Peace.