When minority voters don't flock to a candidate, we're told we just don't know enough about them and

then we're told again and again the same thing, only louder. And if we STILL don't support them, it's OUR fault for not "getting it.""

But when white voters don't support a candidate, it's because the candidate is "out of touch with average Americans."

I'm sick and tired of being treated as an afterthought by people in my own party. Minority voters aren't a "nice to do" while white voters are a "must do." And I'm really sick of hearing people on our side tell me over and over that addressing the interests of minority voters - you know, the most loyal and reliable members of the party - is "identity politics" while chasing around after fickle white voters is the only way we can win.

For example, countless Democrats - minority and otherwise - revere Barack Obama, largely because we feel very connected to him in many ways and feel that he reached and touched us in many more. Calling him "out of touch" is not only insulting, it's grossly inaccurate. And it certainly doesn't help build the party - you don't build a party by spitting on a hero of its base in hopes of attracting people who will only join you if you spit on the hero of its base.

Whether it's coming from party leaders, allies or from rank and file members, it's insulting and off-putting. And it's counter-productive since it runs the risk of losing solid supporters in hopes of attracting people who will turn on you on a dime.