The really good thing about all this infighting....

[WCGreen]

Is that we have a lot of passionate people who are stakeholders in campaigns...

It also means we have a hell of a line-up to evoke such passion for these candidates...

And, for the most part, I sense a real rally-round-the-nominee undercurrent...

Which bodes well for next November...

[still_one]

1. Not sure about that, but I am sure that the Supreme Court will be the stakes in 2008

even if no one else recognizes it

and if people vote for the Democrats, it sure won't be because of their position on Iraq

unless of course Kucinich is the nominee

[MonkeyFunk]

2. and the bad part

is that too many people here are determined to make sure the eventual nominee (whoever it is) enters the race bruised and crippled.

It's monumentally stupid, but it's the way people seem to want it.

[still_one]

3. if the nominee's supporters cannot defend criticism, which will be even worse

after a nominee is selected, then we will have problems for sure

I don't buy your argument

People have a right to discuss good and bad about the candidates, especially here at DU

[MonkeyFunk]

6. But most of it is not mere criticism

it's ridiculously hateful smears, lies, innuendo and rightwing talking points.

[still_one]

7. Those involved in that form hate are irrelevent, and no better than the other side

but I do understand your point, and we have all seen it here

Still, like the swift-boating of Kerry, it will get a lot worse, and unforunately that is just the nature of politics in this country today

[WCGreen]

4. What is going on now here and in the trenches is pretty much

below the radar...

All this stuff will be used by the GOP anyway so it's better to get bloodied in the primary and come out battle tested for the general...

[TransitJohn]

5. wish I could recommend you post here.

Ain't it the truth?

[incapsulated]

8. Hrm, no, disagree

Unlike 2004, I don't see a "rally around the nominee" attitude, more like, threats not to vote at all if Hillary gets the nomination.

If she wins the nom, it's not going to be easy for Skinner and crew to get people to stop attacking, I don't envy them.

[WCGreen]

9. If they can't rally around the nominee...

Then they probably don't belong on a site devoted to the Democratic Party...

[Kurovski]

10. I think that once the nominee is announced,

you can actually be deleted or banned for trashing them.

I'm tired, and just don't remember shit anymore, but I think it's a rule.