Disagree without being disagreeable

[BL611]

Now that just about every candidate announced, can we resolve to speak for our own preference without tearing the other candidates down, and not tear each other down simply for speaking on our own preference? I'm a big Obama supporter, but my support for Obama takes nothing away from my respect for Hillary and Edwards, and if Hillary or Edwards wins I will be happy to support them. I would be happy to debate with any supporter of any other candidate on who should be the nominee, but can't we do it in a respectful way without resorting to bitter attacks?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Good luck with that.

I happen to agree with you, but if people can't discuss whether or not someone who was offended by something has a right to be offended, the primary wars oughta be something.

[BL611]

4. Obviously there's a line but

I think its fairly reasonable to say I support candidate x over y because of reasons 1,2,3, without calling candidate y names, and without being accused of hating candidate y.

[Midlodemocrat]

8. You would like to think DUers are all on the same side,

and I firmly believe that some people would say things online that they would never say to a person's face.

Personally, I'm the opposite. I try to be polite, (unless someone is being a major asshat), but I'll tell someone off IRL without hesitation if they are being unjust.

[chefgirl]

2. Yeah, good luck with that

:rofl:

-chef-

edited to add: Damn, midlo, you beat me to it. :)

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Gotta be quick, girlfriend. Gotta be quick.

:hi:

[EvolveOrConvolve]

5. If the upcoming primary election season is anything like '04

I'll be spending a lot of time away from DU. I enjoy lively debates also, and I will support any Democratic candidate that wins the nomination, but the venom here during the primary season is despicable.

[Midlodemocrat]

12. It was very interesting to me, as I was lurking during that time and I

agree with you the venom was despicable.

I admit, I switched allegiances several times during the primaries as individuals dropped out. I supported the candidates I liked wholeheartedly and I supported Kerry wholeheartedly.

They are good things and not so good things about each potential candidate. And, I would like to think that those of us here all want the same thing...a total 180 from bushco. Frankly, any candidate who wants to do that, has my vote.

I will vote for whomever the party selects as the candidate. Even if they aren't *my* candidate because it is too important to get control of the WH back into democratic hands.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

20. I agree

It's very frustrating to see the infighting, especially when we all have the same goal: replacing the current regime with a Democrat who can fix the shit created by Bush.

Even Hillary, who I don't like that much, will get my vote if she is nominated. But, I see a lot of supporters attacking other candidates rather than pushing the positive aspects of their candidate. Mudslinging by Democrats aimed at other Democrats is wrong. I wish we could come together like the Republicans did around Bush in 2000 and 2004. Even though many didn't like him they were able to rally around him and support his candidacy.

We'll see how things go - I've been lurking/posting since before the Iraq War, and I'm hoping THIS time we can get along a little better.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. That's not going to happen. You shoulda been here for the primaries and the 2004 election!

:scared: YIKES!:scared:

Just grow some thick skin and expect Obama to be trashed here...along with all the other Dem candidates.

[BL611]

7. I probably will not stick around for it

as I have no interest in taking part in conversations of that type, however I thought putting a plea for humility out there couldn't hurt...

[in_cog_ni_to]

15. The idea is great, but there's too many opinions on here for a civil debate.

If Obama starts doing REALLY well during the Primary, he'll be fodder for people who support other candidates. They will take no prisoners...mark my word. I KNOW. I supported Wes Clark in '04 and he was not favored on DU because of his Military background. They trashed him unmercifully. Howard Dean suffered here too. We had a Clark/Dean WAR!:scared:

I'd hate to see you leave. Obama will need your support here.:)

[sallyseven]

16. This won't happen again.

We learned our lesson. Love whatever democrat is in the race. Hate the repuks with all your might. Remember what they are doing to us and get over any problems you have with whoever is running. We need to be successful.

[uppityperson]

9. That would be nice.

It is ok to compare, but not to be nasty.

[noamnety]

10. Nope, sorry

When a candidate supports war, or when they can't support simple civil rights without doublespeak, or when they are being a racist, there's nothing decent about holding our tongues and looking the other way.

There's people dying here on account of the democrats going along with slaughtering Iraqis, and I'll guarantee you they'll go along with it for another two years (though I'd love to be proven wrong.)

So. I am pissed. And I am not interested in being told to smile pretty and not talk bad about the people that are allowing this to continue.

[Lex]

17. You don't have to be an asshole to object mightily and vigorously.

That was the point.

No one even suggested "looking the other way."

[noamnety]

18. I read this differently than you:

"speak for our own preference without tearing the other candidates down"

I took it to mean speak well of your own candidate, but don't criticize the other nominees, which is certainly a sentiment I've heard expressed here before.

[Az]

11. The only way to accomplish that is to do it yourself

I try to disagree while being agreeable myself all the time. It is when a debate turns to emotions that it loses coherance and any chance of swaying those you are talking to. Even if you remain polite you may not win them over. That is just human nature. Accept it, deal with it, and move on. There will always be people that disagree with you.

[Swamp Rat]

13. how 'bout shark attacks?

:shrug:

[Indigent A-hole]

14. The President has to be tough

Regardless who wins I hope that person gets excoriated in the campaign. I hope the gloves come off and everybody gets nasty. I hope the reporters interview the first person to give each of them head in high school and their grandmamas too.

Why?

Because personally I think someone who wants to run the free world ought to have some thick skin, or at least be able to hold their own in a political fight.

Think about it- it's not going to get any easier once they win, and then the candidate not only represents themselves, but also the party in the proceeding elections. This next eight years will decide the future of the two party system in my opinion; the Republicans flail about seeking inspiration, but greed only inspires one so far. True honesty and compassion will win out any day. Therefore we have the advantage, especially since Iraq will certainly get MUCH worse before it gets better.

So figure 2012 to be a pitched battle for the survival of the Republic party (thanks for that one, Rep. Weiner!). They will throw everything at the next President in their desperation to remain relevant.

This primary decides the fighter we intend to sheperd us through the political war to come, not to mention real wars. We need a tough President.

[derby378]

19. You cannot sharpen a knife by rubbing a kielbasa against its edge

It's gotta take something hard to give that knife an edge. I'm afraid the same thing has to happen with our current crop of candidates.