Anyone else getting tired of the "holier-than-thou" attacks on Kerry?

[rumguy]

OMG!! He went to Yale! He's Skull and Bones! He has Beers working for him! He's an insider! The sky is falling!

Well, hey he's also good friends with RFK, Jr. And he voted against DOMA. He also has a sane view of the drug war.

This is reality folks. Politics isn't therapy. Pay for that on your own...

[eileen_d]

1. Ouch

Truly, if one is predisposed to dislike Kerry, they will adjust their information filter accordingly. And vice versa.

[The Magistrate]

2. Very, Myself, Mr. Guy

Sen. Kerry is not even my own preferred candidate, but much of what passes for opposition to him here is pointless twaddle.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[Old and In the Way]

36. "Pointless Twaddle", LOL......great phrase.

I think when I see future threads on Kerry smears, I'll borrow that phrase, if you don't mind, Mr. Magistrate.

[The Magistrate]

42. By All Means, Sir

[LandOLincoln]

60. "Pointless twaddle" is quite right, Mr. Magistrate sir.

As a result I have developed a deep and visceral loathing for the wingnuts on both ends of the spectrum. Narrow-minded and childish brats all, with their "my way or the highway" demands.

A pox on both their houses, says I!

[bigtree]

3. Consider the sources of the criticisms

Don't allow the opposition free room to obfuscate and distract.

Let's build a reliable reference here that will stand the test of time.

[oasis]

8. "reliable reference" something like the PNAC archives. good idea.

Let's give those folks with the same tired questions a place to go to do their own research.

[JPace]

4. It is too early to get tired of it....its just beginning and Kerry

should be ready to go on the offensive
everyday of this campaign. If he fails
to fight them hard on their old tried and
true methods he is not worthy of the
nomination. We all know what is coming,
I believe he will run a campaign like a
warrior and win.

[shindig]

18. and he will win

because?

[revcarol]

5. Is anyone getting tired of any candidate being above criticism?

I want us to vet our candidates NOW, and pick the best. There are a lot of people who think their candidate is the best, and this decision was made partly because of negatives perceived in the other candidates.

So flame me.

[shindig]

9. no one should flame you

because you are exactly right.

[The Magistrate]

14. Here Is The Problem With That, Sir

"Vetting" for the general election is a useful thing, but the body of attack Mr. Guy refers to is wholly irrelevant to that. Sen. Kerry will not be attacked by the enemy during the general election because he is a member of a Yale fraternity, or has hired a well-respected security analyst. He will not be attacked because he is not left enough, but as being too left, by the enemy in the upcoming election. The attack line that he vores to the left of Sen. Kennedy has already surfaced, and there will be more such efforts by our common foe. The lines of defense against these attacks, which will be a leading feature of the general election, are things that will be attacked by some here as reasons not to support Sen. Kerry, even against the criminals of the '00 Coup. This is futile and self-defeating, and displays a level of political immaturity un-becomming to persons who conceive themselves involved as political radicals.

[revcarol]

37. We can chose what to ignore and what to consider seriously.

I am ignoring everything about Skull & Bones, which just seems to me to be another GOBC(good ole boys club.)

We CAN be discriminating.But voting for the Patriot Act and just wanting to tweak it, and voting for NAFTA and just wanting to tweak it, things like that I follow VERY closely.

[The Magistrate]

40. In Assessing Your Vote In A Primary, Sir

These are certainly reasonable things to consider, and to criticize the Senator over. They are not considerations of any great moment, though, in considering the general election. Neither of these things will be lines along which the enemy attacks, and the fact will remain that the need of the hour is evicting the criminals of the '00 Coup from office.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"

[belle]

43. Skull & Bones is just another glorified frat outfit.

I knew guys at Yale who were part of it--a rich but harmless costume designer, for one. It's creepy on several levels--I don't like good ol' boy stuff in general--but it's hardly the Den of Evil Masterminds some people seem to think it is.

[displacedtexan]

6. The attacks provide important opportunities to prepare for the GE

If Kerry wins the nomination, he will have already faced many of the attacks the repukes will want to use against him.
The same goes for any of our strong Dem candidates.

[H2O Man]

19. I heard our beast fiends on Fox News

say just that! But it's actually not true. Democrats have four good candidates: Clark, Dean, Edwards, & Kerry. Think of them as four fingers. Alone, each one can be broken by our enemy. Together, they form a powerful fist. As a retired boxer, I can assure you that breaking your own fingers does NOT give you an advantage going into a fight with an enemy. Matter of fact, it reduces your chances, which is exactly why Fox News is encouraging this type of "fitness training" for democrats! No, it's past the time to insult and demean any of the four. Though at least two, and possibly three of these men will not be on the ticket this fall, we need to move towards a UNITED FRONT.

[H2O Man]

29. PS:hey, displacedtexan!

Didn't we talk about this yesterday? Let's work to keep our forces focused on the true enemy -- the bush administration. Honest debate, including pointing out each of the "big four's" weaknesses is fine, which is what I assume you mean .... but there is far too much bitterness and hostility being expressed on this forum recently ... most of the candidates will lose, and their supporters need to stay with us ... we have to win in November.... and some of what has been stated on here in the past week can only help our enemy, and hurt our own chances!

[lastknowngood]

7. Not me seams like good clean fun besides it gives the

illusion that he has a personality.

[redqueen]

59. hehe

good one. :)

[Indiana Democrat]

10. They're just bitter.

They're upset that they're fringe and are being called on it.

[shindig]

20. careful buddy,

you wouldn't want the "fringe" (the people who are not part of the northeastern, liberal, elitist, EXLSUSIVE Club)to start to consider for the first time in their life, voting 3rd party. Just be careful how you answer, when someone expresses doubt about Kerry's chances in the general election.

[woofless]

45. If you allow posts on a message board thread to

determine how you will vote, and in a fit of pique decide to vote third party, why then just go ahead and do it. Don't let the door hitcha'.

Woof

[shindig]

21. Is this John Kerry's campaign slogan

for the general election?

[quinnox]

11. It's to be expected

There are a lot of ardent backers of other candidates here, and some of them have given sums of money to their candidate. It's understandable that some are cranky and bitter about the course the nomination race has taken. Give it a month or two, and I think the atmosphere will be much improved as the focus turns toward defeating Bush.

[shindig]

27. yes, the "atmosphere"

is light and airy around John Kerry and his supporters. These "snobbery" ridden posts are an great indication of the nana land that is the John Kerry campaign. He might very well take virginia and tennessee in the primaries next week, due to the continuing "group think," but in the general election, absent a complete George Bush meltdown, this guy ain't gonna play well south of Massachusetts. BTW. Alot of us were bitter, that was last week. Now we are resigned to the fact that America will get what it deserves and only exactly what is earned.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[MasonJar]

12. He is not my first choice, but he is a strong environmentalist. Hey,

is it now a crime to have a Yale education ( I said education; not the GWB type)? Scull and bones? Who cares? It's just college play, like fraternities everywhere. Actually I just want us to unite to defeat Bush; the man is so dangerous. He has no brain; he has no stature; he just has arrogance and power.

[MurikanDemocrat]

13. Kerry had sex when he was single!!!

All of these attacks are coming from the same camp.

What might have started out as one of the best grassroots campaigns ever to attract new people into the Democratic Party may end up being the worst thing that ever happened to the Party by permanantly dividing it even further.

[WoodrowFan]

15. BOL!

"This is reality folks. Politics isn't therapy. Pay for that on your own."


BOL! I love that line! And I agree with you even tho Kerry isn't my first choice. (He is my 2d though)

[iamjoy]

16. Remember - This is Only a Test

Senator Kerry is being attacked because he is the front runner. Some of the attacks are mean and nasty, but if he gets the nomination, what do you think the Repugs are going to do? Play nice?

Although I don't like personal attacks, I think these are a good thing. Especially in the case of John Kerry. Nothing personal against the good senator, but it seems like a lot of people are jumping on his bandwagon simply because they think he is the one who can beat Bush. And that is wrong.

If you truly believe Kerry is the best candidate because of his experience and views, to hell with the attacks on him as an elitist. If, on the other hand you think he is the only one who can win the G.E. - better think about what lies ahead should he get the nomination.

[BootinUp]

17. Speaking for myself

If I have launched a holier-than-thou attack it is not intentional. I have plenty of respect for Sen. Kerry and the stuff I have learned about him since around Sept. when I started paying attention. What I don't have is a good feeling that he will win. I cannot just go silently along.

Recently, many have taken solace in polls of Kerry against Bush. Might I mention how fast things change in politics, it is ludicrous to think these polls can be projected many months in the future and predict the election in any way.

What will determine this election are the voting patterns that can be studied from recent history and the candidates ability to stump for votes and inspire voters.

[napi21]

23. Yes, but

I think there is one thing different this political season. Voter turnout. I understand it's a LONG way to the GE, but it seems there are a lot of people in this country that are energized enough to vote in the primaries. If this continues through to the fall, I think it's a very good sign for the Dems.

As to the bashing of the different candidates....whatever happens now isn't even close to what's going to happen between the nomination and Nov. Just maybe it is good preparation for what's to come.

[LuminousX]

22. Did anyone get tired of the "holier-than-thou" attacks on Dean?

Oh, I see, it only matters when Kerry is the one getting attack thread after attack thread generated against him.

[Crunchy Frog]

53. I seem to remember

plenty of "holier-than-thou" attacks on all other candidates and their supporters by Dean supporters back when he was the front runner. In fact, some of the behavior on this board was absolutely unbelievable. I'm very glad that I'm not seeing much of that sort of behavior from Kerry supporters. It will make it much easier for me to support Kerry than it would have been for me to support Dean.

As far as the rest of it goes, I think it's only to be expected that a frontrunner will get lots of attack threads, especially when there are alot of people who passionately support other candidates.

[Terwilliger]

24. Politics isn't therapy

If you're this upset now, you'll need therapy by September.

[wryter2000]

25. Yes

But all the attacks on the candidates have been pretty tiresome.

[seaglass]

26. Some of the attacks are legit and they don't bother me.

The ones that bother me are the ones where the source is newsmax or drudge or Howie Carr or Rush. I just didn't think we'd stoop that low - it's like using the posts on a freeper thread to back up your argument:eyes:

There are honest people who really do have issues with Kerry's policy and that's ok.

[Democrats unite]

28. You forgot to mention the IRW vote

Which is still killing our service people to this day. Just like to keep things in perspective here.

[rumguy]

31. Kerry is opposed to Arctic drilling

just want to keep it in perspective...

[redqueen]

61. Is that sarcasm?

His opposition to drilling in ANWR trumps his vote to let bush send soldiers to their deaths for oil?

[Name removed]

30. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[BootinUp]

32. "Kerry supporters can actually enjoy watching the news"

I think you have a point there.

I had to finally turn off the cable news channels unless my guy was going to be on. Just could not take the abuse any longer. :)

[blm]

33. Heheh...I felt like that throughout 2003.

Between Kerry getting dumped on and Kucinich getting ignored, it was one crappy year.

But...you pull through and keep going.

[eileen_d]

34. Frankly, I will never enjoy watching the news

I support Kerry and Clark, but even if they're on the same ticket in 2004 I will never enjoy watching the news. The bullshit-to-fact ratio is simply too high.

[incapsulated]

35. At this point

Whenever I see something that is simply neutral on Clark, I'm happy. It's pathetic. When your guy is in a media blackout, or when he is covered it's to bash him, the idea of getting the kind of coverage Kerry has would have me glued to the tv in joy, bs notwithstanding.

I would think that after he had been left for dead, Kerry people would enjoy seeing him covered so much. :shrug:

[blm]

57. I will enjoy watching BushInc hung out and exposed this election.

I really see it happening.

[jpgpenn]

39. You think things are tough now?

Wait and hold on there guy, it gets better!

[bain_sidhe]

41. Nope. ;-)

Ok, some of them are silly. I've endured numerous equally silly attacks on my guy, and was told to get toughened up and stuff like that. Your turn now. That's kinda fun for me, I admit, but hey, cheer up. It'll be somebody else's turn tomorrow.

:toast: Here's to politics, DU style.

[Sam Lowry]

44. Yeah, but who gives a crap?

It's not like those who make these arguments are serious people in any way.

[LWolf]

46. No.

But then, I haven't been reading them. I don't need anyone to convince me that Kerry isn't the best candidate; I did that all by myself. I also don't need to pretend he is the worst, either. If he wins, I'll vote for him. Until then, I'm focused on the best candidate, IMO. Frankly, I have no reason to spend time on Kerry right now.

[corporatewhore]

47. you forgot hes pro corporate pro slavery and anti worker

naftagattwtoimf etc etc

[deutsey]

48. Criticism comes with the territory

Kerry supporters, like all of us, need to toughen their skin, because the GOP sure as hell is going to give us all a pummeling, regardless of whether it's Kerry or someone else.

[NashVegas]

49. It's Just the Normal Vetting

We've seen much of this here before, with other candidates. Nothing out of the ordinary, I'm sure.

[tobius]

50. Yes, the attacks

seem to come from both the far right and the hard left. In journalism it is taken as a sign that you are evenhanded; my concern is that his votes, positions and sound bites are all over the place and can easily be portrayed as opportunistic. That criticism I believe is fair...



"If you are sure you understand everything that is going on, you are hopelessly confused."
                                        -- Walter F. Mondale (D-MN)

[quaker bill]

51. They have barely started

I suggest you get used to it. Bush has $170 million to spend on this. Spend it he will. Therapy might be well advised, if you are growing tired of it already.

[Killarney]

52. I don't think the OP meant

he was tired of attacks from the GOP. Just tired of attacks from supposed fellow Democrats.

Attacks from the GOP are expected. Attacks from supposed fellow Democrats are getting old.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

54. Sour grapes from people whose candidate's are losing.

[MercutioATC]

55. Or legitimate gripes from people who are offended by his votes.

Granted, I'm not sold on the "danger" of the whole S&B thing, but there are quite a few of us who see Kerry as what's wrong with this party because of his votes on some key issues.

I don't agree with some of the petty attacks (on any candidate) but there ARE some valid issues with Kerry.

[Zhade]

56. Not really.

I'm more tired of the fact that the pro-Iraq war, pro-Patriot Act, pro-NAFTA, anti-gay marriage Kerry keeps getting labeled as "progressive", when Kucinich is clearly far more progressive.

[redqueen]

58. I ignore those, and only pay attention to the substantial attacks

like his IWR vote, and echoing of bush's lies


You say he has a 'sane view of the drug war'.

Example?

Also, please explain his vote for Plan Colobmia.