Call Obama elitist? Well, you're probably a racist

Well, being one of those, psychologically imbalanced, uneducated crackers from small town America that Sen. Obama studies with such confusion, I did not know this. But here it is, anyway:

The individual who asked about the comments suggested the charges of elitism had racial overtones.

“As a white person, this term, the way it is being used against you, it isn’t far from ‘uppity,’ OK?” the man told Obama angrily. “And I think the Clintons are getting away with something that they must be called on. They will continue to do it until somebody states, ‘Mrs Clinton, you’re really close to prejudice here. This is wrong.’”

The moment that all criticism of Sen. Obama leads to charges of racism is the moment that his candidacy is over. People don't like being told - event by surrogates and supporters - that they are racist because they have policy differences or question an opponents associations and judgment.

UPDATE: Shocka! Looks like the LA Times' op-ed page is in agreement:

"Elitist" is another word for "arrogant," which is another word for "uppity," that old calumny applied to blacks who stood up for themselves.

At the bottom of the American psyche, race is still about power, and blacks who move up risk triggering discomfort among some whites. I've met black men who, when stopped by white cops at night, think the best protection is to act dumb and deferential.

Emphasis mine.

Calling small-town folks racist, gun-humping Neanderthals who are only religious because the economy is bad is now "standing up for oneself." Gotcha.