Note to Clark supporters: there's a difference between examining & bashing

[pruner]

Clark and his record/positions/etc. have never faced public scrutiny before and it's essential that they do.

if he's got any skeletons in his closet, don't you think they oughta come out during the primaries… as opposed to a general election.

stop taking every bit of "investigative journalism" so personally.


Disclosure: my dream ticket is Dean/Clark (or vice versa) with Edwards as AG.

[StephNW4Clark]

1. You're right

but we would also like it if people who wanted to learn more and investigate did so in a somewhat objective manner. Please just consider the source and context of the quotes being pulled out. We're not asking anyone for blind support. And we're more than happy to do our best to answer questions and point anyone interested in the way of more information.

[frank frankly]

2. my point as well

Clark just entered yesterday, and given our current illegal and unjust war, I think people have a duty to examine Clark's military background.

But I really don't like seeing Clark's words minced and taken out of context. We shouldn't be reduced to soundbites!

[pruner]

4. I don't like seeing anyone's words minced or taken out of context

the point however, is that the other 9 candidates have been subjected to this before… and they've all survived.

I have no doubt that Clark will survive, but the fact of the matter is, that still remains to be seen.

[frank frankly]

9. I understand he's taking his licks

I just wish that people wouldn't blast anyone who questions "their" candidate. It isn't helpful and it doesn't help convert or educate people. Then again, some people come in blasting like jerks!

[Trajan]

16. Bashing the other nine ....

was JUST as wrong .....

[Mechatanketra]

12. See, that's part of the problem.

When I first saw that FAIR went after Clark, I rolled my eyes, because they have a history of questionable complaints and tactics (such as pushing that bullsh*t Superbowl domestic violence uptick story even after having to admit it was bullsh*t). Then I read the Times/UK article they were mincing up ... and (IMO, at least) the unedited text looks worse.

Clark just entered yesterday, and given our current illegal and unjust war, I think people have a duty to examine Clark's military background.

Even "unminced", Clark's statements in the Times clearly show that he doesn't really think this war is illegal or unjust -- just badly accomplished. I'm not terribly comforted by someone who says "Stop beating that guy with a wrench -- you're using awful form!"

[sasquatch]

3. Yeah no kidding

Look I don't comletly hate anyone(except LIEberman)but, I don't like Pink Tutu wearing DLC republican ass kissing Democrats.

My Choices are=

1.Kucinich= Completly opposises Bush on all issues and believes in grass root campaigning.

2.Dean= Former DLCer that grew a pair and is becoming a actual Democrat right in front of my eye's

3.Kerry/Clark= DlCers with inner Democrats just trying to burst out and take back the country.

If you don't like how I feel you can go to hell because I don't give a damn.

[Democat]

5. Note to Clark bashers

Rush and Bush appreciate your support. :)

[sasquatch]

8. What seperate's us from Pigman and Too stupid Too be President

is the fact that we arn't lock step people that never question what were told. We're out of power right now which gives us the chance to reexamine our stances on some issues and that means there are going to be disagreements. If you want to call it bashing fine go ahead, but all were trying to do is fix the party while were down. So that way we can figure out what happened, how we got here, how to prevent it from happening again and how were going to do it.

[QC]

6. True, but you might say the same

to the deaniebots who have piled on everyone here who has voiced even the most polite and tentative reservations about the object of their worship.

I say that as someone who was intrigued by Dean long before most people here ever heard of him, because I closely followed the civil unions issue in Vermont. I like Dean a lot, and I plan to vote for him if he's still in the running when my primary comes around late in the spring. I appreciate his willingness to say what other people won't, I share his anger, and I believe he can win.

But the more cultish of his followers (who I know are not the majority) have been on my last nerve for quite a while. Their slavish adoration and pack mentality do not serve their candidate well at all, and if they are really interested in boosting Dean's candidacy, instead of their own egos, they would do well to acquire a bit of civility.

[RandomUser]

13. I agree

I find Dean interesting, but the rabbid anti-clark attacks are not very appealing.

I first got interested on the online candidates scene after reading of the draft clark thing and seeing it mentioned on tv. I liked his resume and supported the draft. But as the months passed, it felt like he wasn't entering and I got tired of waiting, so I crossed Clark off and started examining the other guys.

I saw Dean on one of the debates and liked his energy and positions. So I decided I would vote for Dean in the primary over the other guys, since Clark wasn't in. But now that Clark is in, I can switch back to Clark.

I don't like the way some of the Dean supporters are being rabbidly anti-Clark either. I like Dean. I was a temporary Dean supporter. I would have voted for him if Clark didn't enter. But the rabid attacks are giving Dean supporters a really ugly appearance and possibly costing them support amongst the undecided, especially considering some of the intellectually dishonest and logically flawed arguments like the 180 degree flip on the ex-general status thing.

[Speck Tater]

7. An Embarassment

I really wanted to like Clark, but frankly, and this is just my humble opinion. he is already becoming an embarassment to the party.

First the press conference where he waffles around and gives no specific answers to any of the questions, and apparently didn't know what the Bradey Bill was, and then, after announcing that he would not appear in the next debate, and then that he would appear in the next debate, he now flip-flops again and says he will not appear in the next debate.

I get the impression he's revolving at a high rate of speed while trying to point in all directions at once, thus giving a new meaning to the word "spin." He's trying to be Lieberman and Kucinich simultaneously.

Sad to say, but it's beginning to look like Clark's last name is not Kent after all. And I have the sinking feeling that he's avoiding the debate in order to avoid looking like an idiot on questions of domestic policy. While military experience is great, guns and bayonets are not the answer to every problem.

[RichM]

10. Whaddya mean "guns & bayonets ...not the answer to every problem?"

You some kinda pinko, or what?

Tha's almost un-American, to say sumpin like dat. I'm gonna report you to Asscrack.

[sasquatch]

11. LOL!!

That's very funny

[RandomUser]

14. Yes

A bit troubling. I might switch from Clark back to Dean. But that remains to be seen. For now, I'm still a Clark supporter.

[Pastiche423]

15. Great post!

And a big lol @ RichM!

[saoirse]

17. Edwards would be a superb AG!

Although I prefer Clark heading the ticket...;)