For the love of Darwin, DUers, don't just present your candidate. You must tear down the others

[Bucky]

With all due love and respect to Bigtree, who urges us in another thread "It's enough to present your own candidate's record and intentions without tearing at other Dems," I think we have a Darwinian duty to form up into the usual circular firing squad and just have at each other's vulnerabilities, tooth and nail, between here and the nomination, 17 months from now.

First, because we must cultivate the habits of viciousness. We will need them when we face our politicla rivals in the fall of 2008. But secondly, and more importantly, we must test the mettle of each of our candidates--see how they react to adversity, how they react to the unending barrage of criticism, cheapshot and fair, that a nominee must endure to get to election day. This coming primary season is not an academic debate. It's a full metal proving ground. It's a demolition derby in which we should nominate whoever can become the last jalopy still able to putter around the stadium.

Since the rise of the Arkansas Project in 1992, presidential politics has become a bloodsport. We need to nominate a gladiator. Any candidate who is reduced to complaining that it's all just so unfair, or worse, who doesn't fight back at the cheapshots at all, is going to suck in the fall campaign. It's your duty to fight ugly, to test your opponents' weak spots. It's better to wreck 'em now before the convention than to wait until October and total the campaign once we're all riding in it.

(Not sure I buy what I just wrote, but someone needs to be a contrarian around here.)

[LittleClarkie]

1. And most importantly

we must give the other side plenty of ammo for the general election.

:sarcasm:

[Bucky]

3. Right, because Republicans would never think of doing any attacks without us starting it

Sarcasm right back atcha, Clarkie. Kerry supporters of all Democrats ought to know what sort of shit our nominee needs to ready for.

[bigtree]

2. and, ensure the process becomes more about political theater and less about the issues

and concerns voters intend to effect into action in the campaign.

[Stephanie]

6. some people whine when you confront them on the issues

some people think they merit a coronation without bothering to answer for their stance on the issues. it's our duty to call them out on this.

[bigtree]

8. some folks just want blood

I think I know the difference

[TahitiNut]

4. Thank you, Tonya Harding.

:rofl:

[Bucky]

5. Well, at least someone understands me

Sometimes it damn well takes a crowbar to get to the funny bone!
;)

[tjwash]

7. I'm for smoking fat doobs while groping women...it worked for the rebublics here.

Your post sounds like Angelides and Westley here in California last year. If we want to make sure the WH stays with the repugs, just like California made sure the governator stayed in office, by all means we must follow that strategy.

Maybe we can turn the oval office into a giant gym, while we are at it.

[MoseyWalker]

9. everyone wants to believe they are locked and loaded

and cruising down the cyberstreet waiting to unload a cap on someone.

Well. Maybe not everyone.