Dems Learn - Politics 101: Criticizing Your Opponent Makes Her Less Popular

[kpete]

Politics 101: Criticizing Your Opponent Makes Her Less Popular

In the wake of Sarah Palin’s nomination, a surprising number of people — some of whom weren’t even operating in bad faith — suggested that the smart thing to do when faced with a popular political opponent would be to avoid attacking her, lest the attacks cause a backlash. Looking at the Research 2000 tracking poll data, however, confirms common sense — when you attack someone, she becomes less popular:



That’s her net favorable rating over time.

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/09/politics_101_criticizing_your_opponent_makes_her_less_popular.php

[NJmaverick]

1. Now they need to apply that lesson to John McCain

[mrreowwr_kittty]

2. I've noticed that advice only works one way

It's only unwise for Democrats to criticize their opponents. Republicans do it with impunity, no matter who it is. All this nonsense about how you can't pick on Palin because she's a woman reminds me of how Democratic female candidates are slimed. Joe Biden is being warned by everybody and their mother not to be too tough on Widdle Sawah but back in 1984 GHWB bragged about how he kicked Geraldine Ferraro's ass in a debate. Time to stop buying into their hypocritical b.s. and attack them. With the truth, of course.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Caveat:

Only if you tell the truth.

Unwarranted, or seeming unwarranted attacks, create backlash. But hitting them with something irrefutable will sink their boat.

[Larkspur]

4. That's exactly right