Criticizing Obama, Clinton, Edwards et al is perfectly appropriate

[ruggerson]

as long as its fair and is in response to something a candidate actually did or said. And in the context of a primary season, humor is a perfectly valid and effective means to criticize an opponent, as well.

While I understand the desire to have nothing but polite, positive candidate tributes, this is not an honorary dinner, it is a raucous political process we're engaged in here.

The United States has a long, long history of very fractious, very angry, very divisive primary seasons.

In the long run, they've served us well.

This one is very, very tame in comparison to many, and I see no sign that we won't come together afterwards, and unite behind our nominee, to defeat the real enemy: the party that opposes our best interests as a nation.

It's all part of the natural continuum of our country and the healthy rhythm of our process.

[frogcycle]

1. well said

I would extend it a bit - "something a candidate actually did or said" can include stuff that is just not worthwhile to spend time on. Every human being has mangled a joke, made a snappish remark, lots of stuff, when tired and in an intense round-the-clock emotion-laden endeavor. Well, actually, most of us have not been as heavily involved in such an endeavor as they are.

I think it ever-so-appropriate to critique their official positions, there public utterances, and even their less-formal comments. But going overboard about one snarky remark, or a haircut, or whatever, is counterproductive. Trying to rationalize "well, this person misspoke so we can't trust them with their finger on the button" is just plain stupid. Savaging them all until there is only one left standing is what got us reagan; it is (a big part of0 what got us the chimp.

Had there been serious critique of "something a candidate actually did or said" in the last election, there would have been more attention to things like lying us into a war and less to a mangled joke that nobody in their right mind believed was an attack on the troops.

[MuseRider]

2. Yes.

"It's all part of the natural continuum of our country and the healthy rhythm of our process."

Yes it is. It is dirty, nasty and uncomfortable. You have to think, listen and research. If we don't we end up with light weights who speak well but never intend to do what they hooked you with.

I hate it. I hate being a part of it. I would rather hide my head in the sand or be hit by a car than go through this every primary season but it is what we have to do and it is the only way to get through the crap and make an informed choice.

Would that we could all just be "civilized" about it. Thankfully we can not. Our passion will hopefully move this nation in the correct direction even if some of our passion is misdirected on occasion.

[MuseRider]

3. ARGHHH! Dupe sorry.

Either DU is hanging up or my connection is. I edited this once already as a dupe but that did not go through but the stupid first post did twice as if you needed to read it twice :).

One more try.