OK...show of hands

[Stuckinthebush]

Who is fatigued by the constant bickering between some supporters of Clinton, Obama, Edwards, (insert a candidate here)?

Who is tired of the negative campaigning by supporters of Clinton, Obama, Edwards, (insert a candidate here)?

Who rolls their eyes when they click on a candidate thread that has a sub-discussion a mile long with headings like, "I know you are but what am I?" and "Yeah, well {insert candidate here} is a lying sack of monkey poo who is not fit to be president of the local PTA!"?

Who agrees that the CONSTANT yelling back and forth does nothing to elevate the discussion but instead focuses our energies on gotcha bullshit and finding links to obscure, out of context things that {insert candidate here} said when he/she was 25 years old?

Who feels a daily urge to bang their head against the keyboard upon opening DU to find a top recommended thread being a candidate bashing thread?

Who weeps openly at the angst and gnashing of teeth displayed hourly at DU between people who were once friends and like minds? (weeps may be a bit strong, but you get the picture)

Who ends each day at DU quoting the simple question of Rodney King - "Can't we all just get along?"

Who else hopes beyond hope that at the end of the day when the primaries are over that we can all come together to support {insert winning candidate here} for the good of our nation and the world?

Who else is tired...so very tired...and wishes this damn primary season was over?

Can't we all just get along? :)

[Captain Hilts]

1. Me. nt

[Evergreen Emerald]

2. I like your name.

[Stuckinthebush]

7. Thanks. I like yours too

;)

[mirrera]

3. yes...n/t

[oldtime dfl_er]

4. I think

vigorous debate that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the various candidates is a good thing. The more informed we all are about the capabilities of our choices, the better choice we will make. But-- that wasn't what you were talking about, was it? I agree that we, as Democrats with a lot of common goals, ought to keep our discussions policy-oriented and positive. But that ain't gonna happen.

[Stuckinthebush]

8. Yes...I think I agree

But what we see here daily is not a vigorous debate of strengths and weaknesses but rather rah-rah college football style cheerleadering of one's candidate and bashing of another.

That is a shame. For once wouldn't it be nice to read a thread where a poster says, "I understand {candidate A's} position on that but I think a better way for all of us is...."? Then, have the OP say, "That's a good point and I agree that my candidate is weak in that area. I feel that his/her strengths outweigh that obvious flaw"?

That would be nice.

[FiveGoodMen]

18. You're right.

That kind of debate would be a whole lot better.

[oldtime dfl_er]

34. I remember watching Bill Clinton

during a debate. His way of disagreeing was so pleasant, so positive, and so respectful. He started out with "I have a different way of seeing it...." so that rather than calling his opponent wrong, he was simply pointing out the different viewpoint. He was and is a brilliant debater and speaker and I wish the level of debate was there again.

[Stuckinthebush]

39. That is so true

He knows how to disagree without being disagreeable.

[swag]

5. I will be so happy when the primary season is over,

but I don't expect the bickering and snideness to cease altogether.

[RavensChick]

6. Me!

I'll be glad when the primaries start so we can find out once and for all who'll go up against those repugs in the general election! I'm tired of the infighting too.

[OneGrassRoot]

9. Me! n/t

[baldguy]

10. Me

I don't care if Hillary has changed her hair color more than her underwear - or that the turtle Obama when he was ten died an "unnatural" death - or that Edwards has a hallway light that HE NEVER TURNS OFF!!.

Debate the issues, pick the candidate you like the best. *BUT* in Nov '08 vote Democratic!

[Stuckinthebush]

13. I didn't know that about Obama

OK...I have second thoughts now!

:)

[Jade Fox]

21. Yes, the pettiness is amazing...

and I have to wonder how stupid people can be to think that venomously attacking someone's candidate will convince them to change their choice. It only makes them more defensive about their choice, and they will cling to it harder.

[Lex]

11. I take in stride for the most part. It was a lot like this last primary season.

Taking plenty of breaks from DU and the computer in general helps.

Also there are books to read and walks to take, etc.

This primary season will pass and once we get a nominee it'll be a different place 'round here.

:hi:

[Stuckinthebush]

12. ...and wine to drink

lots and lots of wine!

:D

[blondeatlast]

14. Who generally avoids GD/P like a filthy truck stop bathroom? ME!

I still say it was worse in '04--but there's still lots of time. Yikes!

[Stuckinthebush]

15. That's the funniest thing I've read all day

LOL...

:D

[blondeatlast]

28. Aaaaw... Happy new year! nt

[onehandle]

27. It will be worse this year.

After Iowa, either one candidate will pull away, or the bloodbath will get out of hand.

In 2004, Iowa pretty much clinched it for Kerry.

[LeftCoast]

16. Me!

*raises hand*

:kick:

[Stuckinthebush]

25. Me too!

:hi:

[bdamomma]

17. I am, but you notice how some candidates are conducting

themselves just talking about the issues, and not getting involved in all that stuff. Biden for one.

[Stuckinthebush]

19. Yes, yes that is nice

Biden is nice to do that. That is good.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

20. can't wait for the primaries to be over...nt

[kas125]

22. I've been tired for a long time already

so I just don't read ANY thread with their names in the title.

[FloridaJudy]

23. I'm staying out of GD-P until after the primaries

At this point it's a bit too much like standing too close to the monkey cage at the zoo.

[Stuckinthebush]

24. Ain't that the truth!?

Monkeys ARE prone to throw their own feces!

Thanks for the smile!

[onehandle]

26. I am. I haven't attacked a single candidate. I'd stand behind all of them.

Each candidate has a group of loyal bashers here. Saying the same old lines over and over and over.

[MelissaB]

29. Me! I spend a lot less time here now. :(

[Stuckinthebush]

31. That's a shame

I think that the primary season does that to many DUers.

[politicasista]

30. Me! n/t

[roguevalley]

32. me. the primaries make me hate every single candidate before

they are over.

[RiverStone]

33. bickering and yelling and dissing...

...the other candidates is simply called Democracy. Folks will rage and rant on, just like we do on DU, till the dust settles next August in Denver. When we finally decide on a nominee, I'm very confident the party faithful will close ranks to defeat the rethug nominee. Of that happening - I'm very optimistic.

Within a few weeks, it is likely the Dem field will be narrowed considerably. As our choices narrow, so will the arguing. For now, it's called the primaries. I have no problem with all the disagreement because in the end - almost all of us will be supporting the nominee. And I say that reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally hoping that person is not Hillary. But if it is, she has my vote.


peace~:)

[we can do it]

35. me too

[rug]

36. This will end when everyone rallies around Gravel after Iowa.

[Stuckinthebush]

40. HA!

Indeed.

:D

[walldude]

37. Not tired, but running out of popcorn.. n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

38. Yeah. I like debating issues, but the

constant bickering stuff gets old, I agree.