Are Democrats fearful of the Republican character assassination machine?

[kentuck]

I think many are.

Just as the Mitch McConnell campaign was ready to destroy Ashley Judd with attacks about her medical problems, they are willing to do that with any Democrat that threatens their positions. No Democrat is safe. Republicans can destroy them anytime they want. I believe a lot of Democrats think it can happen to them so they don't make waves or criticize the Republicans too heavily. Otherwise, they will see the wrath of the right-wing media come down on their heads.

This fear of being destroyed by Republicans makes them timid. Just as they impeached Bill Clinton and got rid of Dan Rostenkowski and Anthony Wiener, there is no place for Democrats to hide. Republicans seem to be able to ride out the storm when their character is questioned, as a general rule. Why? Because Democrats do not pursue them with the same vigor.

Am I the only person that thinks Democrats are afraid and intimidated by Republicans?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

1. Despite relentless evidence to the contrary, the belief that Rs are morally superior to Ds is common

and, I believe, leads to the condition you describe.

[ananda]

2. Dems suffer from Reep bully syndrome.

Obama has it too.

[Lasher]

3. Republicans are targets too.

Consider the Karl Rove whispering campaign against John McCain, implying he had fathered a black child out of wedlock. It seems to have been successful in the South Carolina Primary, since Junior won there.

Obama later made a pretty funny joke about it, once admitting that he himself had "fathered black children in wedlock."

[forestpath]

4. No. Many of them are just not on our side and shouldn't be calling themselves

Democrats in the first place. Starting at the top.

[Mnpaul]

7. On only needs to look at who is behind the Third Way

Most Wall St. financiers
http://neweconomicperspectives.org/2012/11/wall-street-uses-the-third-way-to-lead-its-assault-on-social-security.html#more-3690

[Vincardog]

5. I think this "fear" you mention is just an excuse to do as their backers want.

[msongs]

6. 4 years of appeasing republicans indicates some truth to this OP nt