I do not remember Obama being rude to McCain or Bush in the 2008 election......

[Logical]

Maybe I am wrong, but it seems he treated them with respect. Way more respect than they deserved.

This group, Newt, RMoney and Santorium are just flat out hateful.

How would any independent who liked Obama but just might disagree with his policies not think these three are just assholes?

I cannot believe the hatred these three throw at Obama. It might help them with the right wing nuts but I cannot imagine the independents are liking the tone.

Seems like Obama handled McCain and Bush correctly and maybe picked up some moderate GOP voters.

I cannot imagine any moderate DEM liking any of these 3.

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Obama is held to a different standard because of his skin color

If he were to say angry and hateful things, he would be dubbed the "angry black man" by the media. He has to walk a fine line.

[PatSeg]

5. Also Democrats

are held to a different standard than republicans. If a Democratic politician is perceived to be rude or disrespectful, the right will rake him/her over the coals, while ignoring their own doing the same thing.

AND a scandal? Different set of rules for Democrats every time.

[TheWraith]

8. True, but it's more than that.

Can you remember John Kerry calling Bush a fascist? Or Bill Clinton saying Bush Sr. wanted to slaughter American babies? It's never been Democrats' nature to behave that way.

[TlalocW]

11. Agreed, but even that didn't help him all the time

Because of his intelligence, he was often dubbed, "Uppity."

TlalocW

[Lawlbringer]

2. Pandering

I'm sure they don't have a personal problem with the President. However, the base Republican constituency seems to have a hard-on for hate, so they pander and pander and hate and hate and it gets them the love. This has backfired because they're all using the tactic and wound up having to direct some hate at each other.

[Bluerthanblue]

3. it is about hate-

that and prejudice.

I'm glad Pres.Obama doesn't join in.

[russspeakeasy]

4. He was terribly rude to them. He won! And they can't get over it.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. I think it explains why something like 89% of the population in the

states already holding primaries haven't participated. Just a tiny number of people are out there voting for any of them.

[Javaman]

7. All they got is hate. they would lose on facts.

they are trying the old, "dazzle them with bullshit" tactic.

[abowsh]

9. It's the primary....

Things will calm down in the general election. Right now, they are pretty much just speaking to Republicans. To that audience, the best course of action is to attack Obama and present yourself as the most Anti-Obama candidate out there. I'm interested to see things in the general election. If Romney gets it, he will be much more popular with moderates than he is now. It's obvious that he is pandering a bit to the right and not being consistent with his historical beliefs and actions. I'm not so sure about Santorum. I think he might be actually as crazy as he appears.

[PotatoChip]

10. I agree. I think this hateful rhetoric is really going to hurt the GOP

in general, not just those you mentioned. Political junkies like us have always been aware of what lies underneath the surface of most of these jerks. But the majority of them had the sense to not to blatantly show their true colors. Not so now. More and more people seem to be recognizing this. Especially with regard to President Obama as you noted.

A close relative of mine for example. I would consider her mostly apolitical- But unfortunately when she did vote it was always Republican. Her husband had a lot to do w/that unfortunately. Well, just about a week or two ago she mentioned being "turned off" by Newt and then again, a few days ago, she said she thought that Santorum was "over the top". And I had nothing to do w/this! I gave up trying years ago w/her!!!

If she is noticing a primary and coming to this conclusion, I'm sure that there are many others out there who feel the same.