Wow, just when you think the attacks can't get more vicious and trivial

[ProfessorPlum]

Jeez, I go away on a long business trip with very limited access to the net, and when I get back I find the level of vitriol on this board WAY up.

That's too bad.

We should remember that the stakes in this race are very high for the people running. Personally, they are trying to take on both an incredible level of responsibility and an enormous burden of power, and they have to realize that the hopes of more than half of the US (and most of the world) may soon be riding on their ability to slay the giant, rich, oil-funded, military-industrial-corporate juggernaut which has stolen its way to power.

Each of the candidates knows that he or she must differentiate themselves from the others. Each knows they absolutely must attack Bush. And each must think they would do the best job at leading the country.

Each candidate has to deal with his or her own shortcomings, and the shortcomings of their campaigns and organizations. Each of the campaigns is going to attack the others, a bit. They have to - to expect them not too is naive, there is too much at stake.

But we have to remember that as a party, and as a country, we are going to do so much better once we have a candidate, once we can take the fight as a whole to Bush, once we can rid ourselves of this scourge, at least in the executive branch - no matter who wins the nomination.

The candidates are going to kick up some dust. They have to, and if they don't demonstrate they can't fight for themselves, how can we trust them to fight for us? And I expect each campaign to latch on to bitchy reasons to complain about the others - it's only natural.

Take (as an obvious example), this latest thing about Hamas "soldiers". In the whole quote, it is obvious that Dean meant "if members of Hamas are blowing people up, they can expect to be killed" rather than "If I am president, I will institute a new policy of designating members of Hamas as official combatants and grant them Geneva Convention protection, etc." So, not really a big deal.

Do I resent Kerry for trying to take advantage of it? Not in the least. Kerry needs to do everything he can to try to put himself in a better light than Dean.

Do I resent Dean for responding to Kerry's charge? Not in the least. This is how people who are representing very similar worldviews have to try to distinguish each other.

But remember that as Democrats, we will be sitting pretty once our nominee is chosen. We know with certainty, that no matter who it is, that person will be ten times better than Bush and having survived the nomination process, will be hardened and determined to unite the Democrats and crush Bush. It will be a glorious thing to watch . . .

Peace, everybody. Remember, we are sitting pretty - let the campaigns and candidates have at each other a little bit, but remember that at the end of the nominating process, we are going to be a mighty force against the Bush's of the world. That's got to make you happy! :)

[indigo32]

1. Thanks for that Professor

eom

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. What an "even-handed" post.

[Cha]

4. LOL!

[ProfessorPlum]

8. Ha ha!

.

[KoKo]

3. Thanks.........this is a timely post.....with lots of encouragement for

folks to give each other some "breathing room" here.

[phishhead]

5. Very thoughtful post.

Thanks Professor, it is indeed a breath of fresh air.

[knaveree]

6. Yet another sane post from the Prof.

My dear Professor Plum,

You have a knack for saying just what needs to be said at the precise moment when I'm ready to swear off DU forever. This is the third time.

Thank you again. And whichever of the fine candidates we have ends up as our nominee should hire you, pronto.

Bruce

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. Welcome back Plum!

:hi:

Man, you missed some wacky shit around here. Actually, it was the same as it ever was...

Here's a brief summary:

The debate on Tuesday was interrupted by LaRouche screamers, but Rev. Al smacked them down. Much racuous debate ensued about whether they were plants by FOX or just annoying. George Clooney was there (oh, sorry, that was my favorite part.)

Dean tried to take a couple of days off the campaign trail, but every other news story involved one of the other candidates attacking him, for something or the other. Much racuous debate ensued about whether Dean waffled/lied/ate some puppies or is just plain right.

Late in the week, a story appeared in the WP about Dean and Clark meeting in California to discuss, among other things, whether Clark would be his VP. Clark went on CNN and various other outlets and reiterated that he not running for VP. As for the other question, we'll just have to wait. Much racuous debate ensued about whether Joe Trippi planted the news item to somehow marginalize Clark or if Joe Trippi is just plain brilliant.

Attacks against Dean, and Kerry, and Clark, and Edwards, continued; a few against Bush even snuck in.

Donald Rumsfeld was heckled by 2 brave women holding a sign saying "Bloody Hands".

Oh, and Johnny Cash died. :(

[ProfessorPlum]

9. Thanks so much for the update!

I saw the Albuquerque debate, but missed this week's -

that is a bummer about Johnny Cash - I love "I walk the line" and "Jackson". His last album was supposed to be amazing.

And speaking of untimely deaths, WTF is up with John Ritter? That's really sad, too.

Oh, and of course, Dean eats puppies. :)

Funny that about Dean and Clark. Why would Dean have to start rumors when the truth is so terrific?

Take care, - saw the pics you had with your daughter and Dean and Trippi - that must have been a great night!

[DrFunkenstein]

10. Thanks For The Reminder

Easy to get caught up in the sway. Welcome back! Hope your trip went well.

[ProfessorPlum]

11. It was a good trip

I'm a bit provincial, having been raised in Pennsylbama (that vast area of the south between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh), and after hearing so many bad things about that part of the country was very pleasantly surprised at what a nice place it was after all. Sorry I dropped the ball on Wednesday - thanks for making the effort.

[DrFunkenstein]

15. Sooner or Later Our Paths Will Cross

I actually drove through that stretch during a blizzard. I had a girlfriend in Philadelphia, and we decided to bed and breakfast out by Pittsburgh. It seemed like a good idea at the time. The funny thing was after hours and hours and hours of hell, we finally got to 95 where the roads were clear...and someone didn't scrape their car - so we watched in slow motion as the huge chunk of ice tumbled in the air towards my windshield. When it hit, it shot my rear view mirror straight to the back of the car.

That was pretty much the end of Pennsylbama for me.

NYC is a great place to visit. I don't know how anyone can live there, but I think it is the most exciting place on Earth. And that's saying something after living in Rio de Janeiro for awhile.

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Yep. And, though I'm no Deanie, I just defended Dean on this

issue. He shouldn't have referred to Hamas as "soldiers" but that just shows he's not experienced in Washington or in diplomacy. I suggested in the other thread that Dean needs to clarify his I/P position and talk to someone who can straighten him out on what is and is not acceptable to say in discussing sensitive international issues.

All the criticism of Kerry for drawing attention to this is off base. Politicians vying with each other have to showcase other candidates' weaknesses and play up their own strengths. They all do it and it's not unfair.

[Tim The Enchanter]

13. Encouraged by evidence of constructive discussion...

in this thread, I just signed up for DU discussion. I must admit that I have been reluctant to take part because of the overbearing negativity in many of the threads (especially in the "Politics and Campaigns" section), but I suppose most of it is venting, and I'll take it with agrain of salt.

I've been a supporter of Dean, but my enthusiasm is waning. As much as I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt, he does have to prove himself. Criticism from other candidates allows him to do that (hopefully), and, if he can't withstand it, he doesn't deserve the nomination. I'll suck it up and support whoever rises to the top. So far the candidates have simply questioned each other's positions. Just wait until the general election- Rove will make the Willie Horton ads look like Elmo's World.

[ComerPerro]

14. Welcome, Tim

Nice to have you aboard.

:hi:

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

17. Welcome!

And, I agree with you. If Dean, or any of the candidates, can't withstand the criticism, they don't deserve the nomination. I think the primaries are like boot camp...great practice for the 'real' thing. May the best man or woman win, and be stronger against Bush for having gone through a difficult process.

[Andromeda]

16. Hear, hear!

:toast: