Stacey Dash reacts to backlash over her Mitt Romney endorsement

By Christie D’Zurilla

Oct. 10, 2012 12 AM PT

Stacey Dash, in the wake of a flood of ugly tweets in reaction to her endorsement of Mitt Romney over the weekend, is defending her right to free speech, and to vote for the candidate of her choice for the top job in the country.

Dash, the “Single Ladies” actress best known for her role on “Clueless,” appeared on Piers Morgan’s show Tuesday night to discuss the backlash after she tweeted Sunday, “Vote for Romney. The only choice for your future.”

She followed it up with, “My humble opinion... EVERYONE is entitled to one.”

Hardly incendiary words, one would think, in a country that’s split nearly 50-50 when it comes to politics (and has that little Constitution thing buzzing in the background). Alas, Dash is a person of color who works in an industry where Obama fund-raisers happen at the drop of a high-priced hat.

After explaining how she’d come to her balloting decision, she told Morgan she was “saddened and shocked, really shocked” at the negative reaction she got. “Really shocked. But you can’t expect everyone to agree with you.”

Indeed.

One of the most widely quoted responses read, “You’re an unemployed black woman endorsing @MittRomney. You’re voting against yourself thrice. You poor beautiful idiot.” Others were much more harsh.

That doesn’t mean Dash — who said she voted for Obama in 2008 — is without supporters, however.

“Had a great conversation with @REALStaceyDash this afternoon,” vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan tweeted Tuesday. “Thank you for your support!”

The outreach was “generous and kind,” Dash told Morgan.

“I chose Mitt not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character,” she said.

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