Why Do We Need So Many Clark-Dean Polls?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

It only polarizes the supporters of the two candidates and hardens their positions...


It is counterproductive.....

[Don_G]

1. I Think So Too

It's too early to make predictions but not too early to focus on the issues that need to be addressed now and in 2004.

[stewert]

2. I Hate The Poll Feature !

Personally I hate that poll feature, and I never vote in any of them. I
think it is a waste of time and board space, and I wish Skinner would
do away with them.

I could see a once a week poll or once a month, and have Skinner or Elad do it,
but these daily polls are a waste of time and space.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. I Don't Have A Problem With The Poll Feature....

I just have a problem with the constant bickering between the camps of the various candidates fueled by the same polls over and over again....

[Renew Deal]

4. I agree

I like Clark, but we don;t need it this often. There are 2 Clark vs. Dean and 3 or 4 other candidate polls.

[RichM]

5. It happens only because most people here have nothing better to say.

It represents the "dumbing down" of DU -- no contact with ideas, no attempts to gain insight, no content of any value whatever. It's the "political" analogue of watching sports on TV.

It's no accident that this is happening, either. The groundwork for it was laid a long time ago. First, there were the vicious Green-Dem flame wars, which made it "accepted behavior" on DU to issue thoroughly Freeper-like comments on the general subject of Nader & the Greens. This was always done with no acknowledgement whatever, that it was the abject overall failure of Democrats that gave birth to the Greens in the first place.

Then, the mindless sloganeering typified by "ABB" came into vogue. This buttressed the idiotic idea that "all Dems are good; anyone else is bad." Any community brandishing a fool's slogan like that is basically declaring that they have no interest whatever in honest self-examination. That is not an environment in which intellectual integrity can flourish (or even survive).

Then the candidacy of the moderate Republican Clark came along, accompanied by a large influx of bullying personalities whose main DU function is attacking & insulting opponents, & converting the entire GD forum into a nonstop commercial billboard for this one particular candidate.

Thus, it is hardly possible any longer to do anything on DU, aside from creating repetitious idiot-level polls. Genuine discussion of issues has in effect been abandoned, & replaced with mindless aggressive slop. This unfortunately is the best that can be expected from a community that is anchored to the Democratic Party, & is unwilling to look the glaring deficiencies of that party straight in the face. These repetitious polls are like desperate masturbation, for those who can't think of any other way to get some jollies.

[MoonRiver]

6. I REALLY resent this:

"Then the candidacy of the moderate Republican Clark came along, accompanied by a large influx of bullying personalities whose main DU function is attacking & insulting opponents, & converting the entire GD forum into a nonstop commercial billboard for this one particular candidate."

Before Clark announced I primarily supported Dean. But I deeply believe in Clark's candidacy and think he will make the best Dem nominee, and yes, president, of all those currently running. I am certainly no newbie Clark interloper trying to cause trouble. With all respect, you are using generalizations and stereotypes, which you accuse others of doing, yet seem quite oblivious to such hypocricy. Pot calling kettle black, perhaps?

I do agree with you about the destructive devisiveness that is taking place on this board. Karl Rove's 'divide and conquer' tactic is alive and well at DU. I think we should all get along and support whoever wins the nomination because, considering the current meltdown of our democracy, ABB does INDEED mean something.

Edited for punctuation.

[eileen_d]

7. What a quote!

"bullying personalities whose main DU function is attacking & insulting opponents, & converting the entire GD forum into a nonstop commercial billboard for this one particular candidate"

The same exact description could be made of certain Dean and Kerry supporters.

I was around when Clark entered the race, and GD was a 24-hour anti-Clark fest for a week. I'm sure sorry that comfy environment has changed (NOT). I've also noticed lots of high-count posters who have chosen Clark, along with the new people.

Face it: Clark is running as a Democratic candidate in 2004. If you don't think Clark folks should have a right to rah-rah their candidate, talk to the mods.

(note: I'm replying to a reply because I have the other person on ignore, but this quote was just too ridiculous NOT to respond to)

[eileen_d]

8. Why do we need "why do we need" threads

Ask The Administrators.