I got this idea after confronting another forum member on this issue. Can we all agree that both sides use unfair and unfounded smears? I'd like to do a little exercise to help us remove our partisan blinders.
If you are an avid Democrat and or Liberal, or an avid Republican and/or Conservative... name an unfair smear your party or candidate (or political talking head) used on an opposing member. I'll start.
Barack Obama repeatedly said, "John McCain thinks someone making five million dollars per year is middle class." The truth is McCain said that as a joke, and after the laughter subsided he then said, "But seriously..." (as per factcheck.org).
*Some* on Dailykos.com made diaries describing McCain as a wreckless hotshot who crashed multiple planes due to neglegence. Again, factcheck.org debunked those claims and I (and others on Dailykos) opposed anyone who tried to use that smear.
So let's all of us, Democrats and Republicans alike recognize ugliness appears on both sides. And let's clean up our own back yards.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper I got this idea after confronting another forum member on this issue. Can we all agree that both sides use unfair and unfounded smears? I'd like to do a little exercise to help us remove our partisan blinders.
If you are an avid Democrat and or Liberal, or an avid Republican and/or Conservative... name an unfair smear your party or candidate (o ...[text shortened]... s alike recognize ugliness appears on both sides. And let's clean up our own back yards.
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper If only the American political arena were more like the Dutch
Well, it also depends on the party you look at... Christian Democrats used the Kerry flipflop-card (though in a more subtle way than in the Kerry/Bush electoral campaign, obviously) against Labour Party leader Bos in the 2006 general election and the electorate fell for it like a bunch of morons.
as a centrist, I'll focus on defending a few "extremists" who are sometimes too easy to attack.
1. While I believe she was a flawed VP candidate (or was at least woefully unprepared), Sarah Palin has become little more than a target for those seeking comic relief. One irony was that famous video of her speaking to reporters while a turkey was being slaughtered in the background. When I focused on her speech instead of the background, she sounded like she knew what she was talking about. But no one cared about that part.
2. Michele Bachman is another person that is regularly used by the media as target practice. I'm sure she really isn't the Wicked Witch of Minnesota but that's pretty much the gist of what you ever hear about her.
3. Michael Moore is regularly used by the right wing as target practice. I'm sure he really isn't a secret Communist agent sent by Castro to undermine America. He does raise some legitimate issues. But I could be wrong about both of these.
4. I like Joe Scarborough on MSNBC's Morning Joe, but it drives me nuts whenever he refers to Nancy Pelosi "calling the town hall protesters unamerican". She was referring to those people who were purposely disrupting things so that no one else could be heard. And I'm sure Scarborough knows it.
Originally posted by Melanerpes as a centrist, I'll focus on defending a few "extremists" who are sometimes too easy to attack.
...
4. I like Joe Scarborough on MSNBC's Morning Joe, but it drives me nuts whenever he refers to Nancy Pelosi "calling the town hall protesters unamerican". She was referring to those people who were purposely disrupting things so that no one else could be heard. And I'm sure Scarborough knows it.
clinton started the disruptions ... with the cigarette mascot sent to bait president bush the elder on the campaign tray .... as far as i can remember, maybe someone else started it before that 🙂.
Originally posted by zeeblebot larry craig .... people gotta find love somewhere ... if gays weren't forced in the closet he wouldn't have to frequent restrooms ...
You can't break away from partisanship for even a second, can you.
Is there any smears that came from Republicans that you felt were unfounded and/or unfair?
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooper I got this idea after confronting another forum member on this issue. Can we all agree that both sides use unfair and unfounded smears? I'd like to do a little exercise to help us remove our partisan blinders.
If you are an avid Democrat and or Liberal, or an avid Republican and/or Conservative... name an unfair smear your party or candidate (o ...[text shortened]... s alike recognize ugliness appears on both sides. And let's clean up our own back yards.
What if you're neither significantly in either camp? Am I allowed to acknowledge that everyone else is wrong?
Name an Unfair Smear for an (opposing) politician.
19 Oct '09 21:081 edit
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