Goodness gracious. I just took a look around here.

[madfloridian]

I think I am going to come back when the adults are back. Can you say toxicity?

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Dean Supporters have been on a roll today

Posting lots of hateful messages and long-discounted accusations and other right-wing drivel about General Clark. Coincidentally enough, these attacks come on the heels of several polls that seem to indicate Clark gaining serious ground on Dean.

Hopefully tomorrow is a better vibe.

:beer:

[Kathleen04]

4. Well, I see..

alot of Dean does X, Dean is Y threads out there too.

But, there's alot of angry back-and-forth between camps today.

[Paragon]

6. Rose-colored glasses much?

Clark supporters have been flooding GDprimary since its inception. But THAT's ok. :eyes:

[in_cog_ni_to]

32. The Dean supporters

have been in attack mode ever since their greatest THREAT, Wesley Clark, entered the race. Things were great around here until THEN. Now, who should we attribute THAT to. A gloating Dean poll, daily. Bash Clark threads...3, 4, 5 or more a DAY...I don't think this atmosphere can be laid at the feet of the Clark supporters. Sorry. :eyes:

[Zinnola]

35. If Clark keeps on rising in the polls

he is going to get batted and bruised MORE than Dean because of his flip flopping inconsistincies by the media and the repugs. What they doled out when Clark entered was nothing that can be used againist him

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lefta Dissenter]

29. gee, perhaps you'd like to edit that a bit? (eom)

[stinkeefresh]

16. bizarre assertion

I just went over every new thread created in the last hour and a half and couldn't find a single anti-Clark thread. I did find the following anti-Dean threads, all posted in the last hour and a half...

Dean or Clark: Blogosphere Shaken & Stirred

Dean is now attacking Ted Kennedy

If Dean wins Iowa and New Hampshire, it's over.

Fear now being displayed by Dean and his supporters.

was Deans mother really one of Barbara Bush*s bridesmaids?

[NV1962]

21. I'm not convinced that it's really "Dean" and/or "Clark" supporters

I mean, yes, venomous stuff is posted by people with the label of one candidate or another on his/her sleeve, which regrettably attracts similarly venomous responses, but... There are also a few others that are not (ostensibly) wearing a specific candidate's colors.

And as a result, I'm noticing a growing irritability in my own responses, something that irritates me more. After all, I may very well misread intentions and meter out unfounded dosages of, well, venom.

The idea of instigators on the prowl has been floated in another topic, today, and I think that's correct, at least partially.

Now, speculation without traction can take one swiftly into tinfoil beanie land, so... Absent clairvoyant skills, I'll try and ignore what I consider "patent" baiting, focusing on more "mature" stuff.

And jump in when I see supporters of another candidate being unfairly treated, as well.

Maybe an idea? Either way, I'll try that for a few days - see how that goes.

[Zero Division]

27. Me either

I've had that opinion since the worst attacks began against Dean and Clark. I believe there are a several posters who post very frequently and whose dislike (perhaps an understatement) of either candidate outweighs their support of any other candidate. Although now there certainly do seem to be some cases where support of one candidate has turned into a willingness to believe anything negative about other candidates.

[Padraig18]

31. I'll be blunt:

I think every campaign here is plagued by Freepers pretending to be supporters of Candidate X or Candidate Y. There--- I said it, and I'm glad.

[saltpoint]

39. Padraig18 --

-- I think you are exactly right. I think it's a shame that they'd do it, but that's the tone Karl Rove sets at the top and maybe it just trickles down to the rank and file.

[Le Taz Hot]

34. Have they?

Since you state "Dean supporters" instead of "a few Dean supporters," I'd appreciate it if you would back that statement up. Here's your challenge, I'm a Dean supporter. Find any thread in which I have started or participated in "hateful messages."

I'll wait.

[quinnox]

2. I know, many attack threads

by Dean supporters.

[TexasPatriot]

3. i dont see but one or two

ignore is a beautiful thing

[stinkeefresh]

18. see post #16 above

[TrueAmerican]

5. Luckily Clark supporters are mostly above the fray

We support our candidate. We don't tear others down.

[goobergunch]

9. ROTFLMAO!

Thanks for saying that...funniest post all day!

[Padraig18]

10. So are MOST Dean supporters.

Unfortunately, both camps have a liberal sprinkling of complete ass hats.

[Rowdyboy]

13. Here's to ass hats!

Every campaign has them and they serve no useful purpose except to waste perfectly good bandwidth (and oxygen)

And a real toast :toast: to people like you, Padraig, who are committed to winning, not a godlike adoration for any one candidate...

[Padraig18]

17. Thank you!

I'm committed to winning against *, if possible with Dr. Dean, but if not, then with whomever my party chooses to lead it!

:toast:

[tishaLA]

15. So true, Padraig.

So true.

[bobbyboucher]

12. What-the-nuts-ever!

You haven't been reading many posts obviously. Maybe you could try to reign in your pals.

[Bucky]

20. I hate to say this, but it may be because it's tactically smart to be nice

I would love it to be that we're just following Clark's lead and comporting ourselves with dignity because it's the right thing to do. But I doubt the reality is that simple or singular. It makes sense in overall tactics of electioneering for Clark to nab the high ground while the tried & true career pols go negative on each other. Clark lacks a base of electoral suppport to fall to in case he gets defined as an attacker (this is what's killing Lieberman--he attacks, but has no Greek chorus to sing his praises or surrogates to do the heavy lifting for negative assaults on his opponents).

So kudos to the General for being mostly above the fray. But let's not pretend he's any better or more ethical than anyone else (more qualified I think so, more electible I know so, but "better than" is just not a sensible judgment). His high road happens to coincide with his own elightened self interest. When the cards suggest it's time to attack, he damn well better attack. We need a candidate with Clark's class and demeanor, but we also need a guy with Dean's sand.

I have concerns with Dean's electability, but I think he could be an incredible asset in the VP slot or some other high profile position in the fall campaign, even if he's not nominated. Though I respect him he doesn't thrill me; but the movement that loves him just blows me away some times.

[FubarFly]

26. Excellent post, Bucky.

I disagree with your assessments about Dean's electability, but I bet you knew that already. ;-)

[Hoppin_Mad]

30. Funny ! -eom-

[JVS]

36. That is not true

[Zinnola]

37. ROFLMAO

Oh please tell me more Christmas stories

[jonnyblitz]

40. OMG are you serious?

you are kidding right? holy crap!

[xultar]

7. What u talkin about Willis? n/t

[Rowdyboy]

11. Its only gonna get worse until Clark is either nominated

or is run from the race by the voters-one or the other. Might as well get used to it, we appear to be emerging as the alternative to Dean and Dean's supporters are threatened. If the situation was reversed, I would be threatened. When you think you have it wrapped up before the 1st delegate is selected you're apt to be easily threatened. You don't want to lose your place. As I said, I would feel the same way in their place.

I think it's gonna be a rocking January-March.

[bobbyboucher]

14. Stop speaking for everyone

like you know what the hell you are talking about. More than not, people here like multiple candidates and are not fanatical.

[Rowdyboy]

38. I like multiple candidates and am not fanatical...

And I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about. However, I'm sure you could not possibly have misunderstood, so I apologize-I guess.

And you have a real, nice day.

[Kathleen04]

19. A thread about the toxicity..

is a launching pad for more toxicity.

[maddezmom]

22. no shit n/t

[salinen]

23. You can all suck my dog's tail

I'm voting for Wesley Dean, I mean Howard Clark, dammit.

[maddezmom]

24. hehe

who? :)

[Padraig18]

25. Richard Brush Kerry is the only candidate who can save our party!

:P

[Kathleen04]

28. lol.. n/t

[Piperay]

33. Everytime I come here

I end up irritated so I guess I'll go back to the Lounge, oh well. :shrug: :-)

[Moderator]

41. Locking...

Not content for this forum.

Thanks,

DU Moderator