One of the most highly insulting post election opinions held by some PLP critics is that the PLP obviously does not suffer from criticism that comes from whites. The argument goes that, "The actions of the PLP and it's support base have suggested that it would much prefer to be surrounded by a bunch of yes men than independent thinkers."

There is, "no room for well meaning criticism or thoughtful debate in Bermudian politics today." The PLP's retention of all seats shows that the election had, "nothing to do with policy".

"Progressive minds will vote UBP," and "Now that PLP leaders have tasted success from an overtly race-baited election campaign, can we expect that the anti-white theme will be continued?"

The PLP (exclusively, one would be led to believe) participates in political and racial bigotry, and will exploit every opportunity to "voodoo up a new 'boogey man'". Yes, right-thinking voters will vote UBP, and if you vote PLP it is because you are emotional and lack the intelligence to vote them out. The results of the 2007 election was as one blogger put it, "A victory for ignorance."

The degree of disillusionment is so high that bloggers are calling it quits, and columnists think that they simply do not have a voice due to their race or political affiliation. I disagree — entirely. I would encourage those writers and pundits to take a pause for just a second, because I believe they are making two very arrogant and foolish assumptions.

The first assumption is that voters have actually read their columns/blogs and nevertheless rejected their "wisdom". The second assumption is that their point of view is without question, fundamentally correct — thus the Shakespearian reaction to the PLP not losing a single seat.

In the case of the first assumption, columnists need to be wary that the demographics of those who purchase the newspapers could be dramatically different from the demographics of those who actually read the political commentary.

For example, while I purchase The Royal Gazette daily, it would be foolish to think that I read the sport sections. I don't, but it is not to say that I endorse or reject any particular point of view printed in that paper. Things are on even shakier ground with the blogs.

If participation on the blogs is any indication of who reads them, then the blogs almost entirely attract a pro-UBP/anti-PLP audience. It is a classic case of preaching to the choir, much like one would expect if Derek Burgess was giving a speech at BIU Headquarters, or if you were reading The Workers' Voice.

In the case of the second assumption, I believe that passion for ousting the PLP was so great amongst these writers that objectivity was thrown completely out of the window. It was as if there was only one side of the argument, and simply no alternative point of view.

Allegations of corruption were incessantly promoted as proof of corruption. Critics claimed that the PLP was running a nasty campaign, while making little or no comment about campaigns being run by the UBP and its supporters. The ethics of the Mid Ocean News was never brought into question. The Reality on Independence Group urged us to vote UBP to save Bermuda from turning into a violent dictatorship. Discussions about leaving the island if the PLP wins never made it on the radar. E-mail cartoons comparing Brown to Hitler, were given insufficient attention.

No one even discussed the history of integration, or the UBP's sincerity of dealing with race, when they held a free AME Gospel Concert the weekend before the election. Obviously the PLP is all bad, and the UBP is all good. Where was the balance, I ask? I think it is high time that UBP supporters stop, look and listen (as should the PLP!). If you relentlessly present an argument without thoroughly addressing the pros and cons, you are far more likely to be dismissed as just another member of the propaganda band.

Contrary to the complaints of the critics, I don't believe that the PLP has become untouchable. I think the core problem is that these critics simply did not offer fair criticism in the first place.

The level of bias was so high and objectivity so low that I was turning the page or clicking the mouse on these writers just as fast as I was dismissing the rhetoric from the likes of Cal Smith and LaVerne Furbert.

Consider that all of the pre-election hysteria about corruption and forced independence died the day after the election. Ironically, all of this reeks of, "We had to deceive you," and all these things combined would likely have crystallized the PLP's support — not shaken it.

Now consider what it means when the UBP's deputy, party Chairman and ex-leader, had no interest in the party leadership. As if this wasn't enough, seeing Opposition Leader, Kim Swan belt out Sunday morning sermons leaves me utterly dumbfounded, because this is the kind of delivery that UBP supporters have constantly ridiculed. Instantly you get this burning idea that something terribly dysfunctional is at work here, because all experience advises that your average UBP supporter does not even remotely envision Swan as Premier.

It struck me as the last painful gasp and death throe of a party that simply does not know how to save itself, and will resort to absolutely anything to court black voters.

The contempt being expressed for PLP voters, as well as the incalculable choice for Opposition Leader, will do little more than validate the swing voters' choice. The wisest thing for the UBP and its critics to do at this time is to start their own Big Conversation with these voters.

Cease the condescending pontification, and ask directly why they still supported the PLP under duress. Don't myopically limit the discussion to the UBP campaign promises either. Ask these voters how they felt about the handling of the BHC dossier, the credibility of Harold Darrell, the marketing of black candidates, the response to the puppet advert, the blogs, the campaign run by Reality on Independence Bermuda and the objectivity of the media at large.

I can assure you that many PLP voters did not support some aspects of the PLP campaign, do not see themselves as race victims and do not see whites as the enemy. They merely concluded that all things considered, between the two parties, the PLP was the better choice for Bermuda's long-term evolution.