Reply #21: character assassination [View All]

[Two Americas]

Yes, the OP's point about character assassination of Carter and Clinton is well taken. I don't think that can be effectively countered, though. It is a distraction.

I particularly object to that one sentence, but beyond that, while I agree with the OP about the defamation by the right wing propagandists, I do not think that this is an area to focus on.

Were it not for the case that libertarian and Reaganomics ideas have gotten such a strong purchase with progressives and party activists, the defamation of character would be irrelevant. It is the ideas we need to counter, not the tactics and distractions. The discussion ought not be about personalities to begin with. Defending the politician from those attacks reinforces and promotes the right wing attempt to make politics be all about personalities.