>>There is overlap between argument from intimidation and ad hominem. Both involve focus on feelings. prejudices as a device to divert/evade.
Not always. An apparent ad hominem argument may have great value. For example, a member of public complains on Fox TV that Obama gave them the finger- and then it is revealed that this person has accused every president of that since Ford and has a "give Obama the finger" website accusing him of selling the earth to the Romulans. Ad hominem to point this out? Yes. Device to evade? Hardly- more a device to add context.
From intimidation is very different from this.
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1
