The spin against the Democrats in GDP is worse than cable news.

[bling bling]

I searched out DU over 3 years ago because I thought the country had lost it's mind. I was totally frustrated and it was a huge relief to have found this place because the news was so full of shit.

I stopped watching news on T.V. altogether in December of 2004. I was so frustrated with them omitting information when it came to the Democrats, or not asking the hard questions when it came to the Republicans, that I finally just turned it off. Another relief.

That's how I'm starting to feel about GDP. I'm starting to wonder why I come here when it makes me feel so frustrated all the time.

It's not that I need people to like my candidate. Don't like him. I don't care. Just don't be deceptive about it. It's frustrating to watch the spin, and the deception about him. It's frustrating to watch spin and deception about anyone. And it's absolutely out of control around here.

You can't trust anything you read here anymore. And if you're the type of person who checks the facts, pointing out the facts used to be a good way to quell the spread of disinformation but anymore EVEN POINTING OUT FACTS in the face of disinformation IS FUTILE. It's like a rabid bunch of preschoolers running wild and I'm starting to think it can't be stopped.

Is this just it? Is this is good as it gets? Is this all there is until after the primary? And if so, is that ok with everyone else here? If not, where do the people go who don't like this kind of silly/gaming style of political discussion?? Where do the more serious minded type of people go to talk about politics?

[murielm99]

1. Additionally,

I have three people on ignore. I may add several more. It is just that much worse.

The last primary, I had three or four on ignore. When I took them off ignore after the primaries, I found that all but one had been tombstoned. That one became a mod! LOL

[murielm99]

2. My first reply did not get posted.

I must be tired.

Have you been here long enough to remember the last primary? It got tough. Ignore, alert, and take breaks. Please do not leave.

I think we have professional trolls. Things have changed, and changed quickly. The mods will weed out the trolls.

[MaineDem]

3. I know it can be frustrating but it's a primary

It's almost a family feud. Good Democrats are running against other good Democrats for the chance to defeat the Republicans. That's the ultimate goal. We have to realize that people get passionate about their candidates. But when the primary fight is over MOST realize that the bigger fight is about to take place and rally around our candidate. Regardless of what is said on message boards.

I've been involved in party politics since the 60s and I've known very few cases of primary opponents and their supporters not coming together after the primary.

I agree with what was said above: use ignore, hide threads if you have to, or just grow some really thick skin. There are good discussions here but it can...and it will...get very nasty before it's over. I'm sure Skinner will institute some primary rules that will prevent some of the discord but it's up to us to keep it civil.

[LWolf]

4. It may be that this is all there is, period.

When the primaries are over, then there is the general, and then the next year's campaigns to argue about. It's always more of a campaign than a debate of issues.

I don't like your candidate. Frankly, I don't like many of the candidates on the table for the primaries. I have no problem saying so. I'm dreadfully disappointed. I like plenty of Democrats, and I would have liked nothing better than to have a primary packed with them. Instead, I'll probably be writing in someone better in the general election.

When I say I don't like Obama, I'm not trying to make points for his competition. I don't like them, either. When I rank the candidates, Obama appears 7th and HRC appears 8th. :shrug:

[beachmom]

5. Are you referring to the K/F thread?

You know we are allowed to have our own set of opinions but not our own set of facts (Moynihan). You got all mad in that thread because Obama voted against K/F but for Levin/Reed, when any kind of research would have led you to the fact that Levin/Reed was a lame, weak, NON-BINDING resolution. One set a deadline while the other didn't. That is very serious and very factual. You just don't like what it suggests about your candidate.

[welshTerrier2]

6. candidate crap versus candidate positions on the issues

i would love to see all the "campaign crap" stuffed away in a "campaigns" forum. there, loyal supporters could sling mud and post polls and endorsements to their heart's content.

here in GDP, and I think it would make this forum far more valuable, candidate-related posts, both pro and con, would have to be issues based.

consider this: i doubt most people here, even after all the candidate posts, could explain much about how the candidates' would answer the following questions:

1. where do you stand on the Iraqi Oil Law?
2. where would you get more funds for education?
3. if the Iraqi state couldn't survive without the US, would you still withdraw?
4. under what circumstances would you attack Iran?
5. if you disagree with single payer health care, why do you disagree?
6. do you agree there is a quid pro quo for campaign contributions?
7. what would you do to take money out of politics?
8. are you willing to call for real conservation measures to protect against global warming?

you get the idea. all this noise and cheerleading with very little information. the result is all the useless back and forth from candidate supporters. the only resolution I see is to redefine the purpose of GDP. If it continues to "welcome all", I think what you see is what you'll get. And it will get worse.

my vote would be to establish a separate "campaign forum" in the hope that a more useful discourse would occur in GDP.

[AtomicKitten]

7. word

The anarchists are out to tank the top contenders at any price, they just don't realize it's America that will pay the price if the GOP maintains control.