I vow not to say anything critical about any candidate running in the Dem primary

[Kaleva]

I also vow not to say anything critical or negative about any candidate's supporters or members of the candidate's campaign staff. I further vow that if I have an issue with where a candidate stands on any particular issue, I will only talk about the issue itself and not mention the candidate.

23 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I make that vow
	2 (9%)
	I will not make that vow
	21 (91%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[MineralMan]

1. Can't vote. There's nothing wrong with criticizing a candidate.

Criticism is different from attacking a candidate. I can't vow not to criticize a candidate's position. That's why there is a campaign. I can, however, vow not to attack a candidate.

[Indygram]

2. I was just going to post something similar.

It's OK to make a fair criticism of a candidate if they do or say something you really don't like and believe is wrong. It's OK to criticize a policy or position. And if a candidate's supporters are behaving badly then it's OK to criticize them as well.

Justified criticism is not bashing or attacking.

[get the red out]

4. I agree

If I disagree with a candidate, well that's politics, it's why we have primary races. I have no desire to go past policy in that, but we have to be able to discuss issues.

[Kaleva]

6. One person's attack is another person's constructive criticism.

A person whose preferred candidate or fellow supporters is the object of constructive criticism may take that is an attack. So, I'm not going to engage in that. I'm just going to concentrate on promoting my preferred candidate.

[Kaleva]

3. As I support all of the candidates, I see nothing to gain by being critical of any

My preference is for Kamala Harris and I do think she's the best candidate for the job of POTUS but if she drops out for some reason, I'll pick another and I will support the nominee no matter who it is.

[MineralMan]

7. As you can see by the polling, most people feel that criticism

of primary candidates is OK. Otherwise we have no good way to select candidates to support. There are many criteria to consider for each candidate. I might well disagree with a candidate's position on something, or think a candidate cannot generate enough support to win the general election. Those are points that can be discussed here.

Criticism is not necessarily an attack or bashing. While it might seem to be a fine line, saying, for example, that I think a particular candidate is too conservative is very different than calling that candidate a DINO. The first is a criticism, while the second is an attack.

We will never get away from posting criticisms here, but we could avoid attacking or bashing a candidate we don't thing is a good choice.

[Kaleva]

9. The problem is that criticism easily devolves into vicious attacks.

We can recall by reading the old threads where Hillary was savaged here during the 2008 primary and how bad the fighting was in the 2016 primary. I predict the same will happen this primary.

It's human nature. The higher the stakes, the lower the standards become.

So I'll concentrate on promoting my candidate of choice.

[corbettkroehler]

5. Drawing Contrasts

I'm with you. I prefer "drawing contrasts" but concur with your point.

I also voted no in the poll because some DUers overreact and attack their fellow DUers when they draw contrasts rather than offering a thoughtful response to a reasoned objection.

[ehrnst]

33. Do you see a pattern in those DUers who "overreact" and "attack their fellow DUers?" (nt)

[corbettkroehler]

36. I Tried To Assign It To Support For A Particular Candiate But Failed (n/t)

[customerserviceguy]

16. And the campaign staff

is not immune to criticism if that is warranted. Every manager makes what turns out to be a mistake in hiring, some turn out to be really egregious.

[Honeycombe8]

28. Ditto. nt

[doompatrol39]

8. If we can't do that then what is the point of a primary?

This idea that if we don't point these things out that somehow they will remain a secret and Republicans won't think about those things as tools to attack our candidate is ridiculous naive and deluded.

If a candidate takes a position or has taken a position on something it's perfectly valid to point that out.

If it's all just one big love fest then how the hell are people supposed to decide.

I just find it fascinating (especially as someone who has no preference at this point) that the line between "attacking/smearing " and "meaningfully criticizing a candidates positions or voting record pretty much seems to boil down to whether it's being done to their preferred candidate or someone else.

[Kaleva]

11. Where did I say such a thing

Your comment:

"This idea that if we don't point these things out that somehow they will remain a secret and Republicans won't think about those things as tools to attack our candidate is ridiculous naive and deluded. "

Search if you'd like but you won't find a single post of mine in the past 11 years where I've ever said such a thing. So it must be an attack as it can't be a criticism of anything I've actually said.

[doompatrol39]

21. Not you, but I read that a lot on here as the reason...

...again that mostly seems to be people who don't want their preferred candidate to be criticized but it is a reason I've been given on here and in the real world as to why candidates or their surrogates should refrain from attacking each other (I heard it a lot during and after the 2016 primary).

[Kaleva]

22. I'm not asking you or others to not be ctitical of any of the candidates

It's up to you and others to decide on your own. The poll gives a choice.

[brooklynite]

10. There's a nice safe bubble for you in the "Democrats 2020" section...

In the meantime, feel free to post anything you find that's critical of my chosen candidate. I won't mind.

[Kaleva]

12. I don't need a safe bubble.

I'm going to spend my efforts on promoting my preferred candidate.

[Kaleva]

13. I'm not going to post anything critical about your prefered candidate.

If he wins the nomination, I'll support him with all the resources I have available and vote for him. Just as I would if Kamala wins the nomination. No more or no less.

[brooklynite]

14. If there's an issue with my candidate's policies or background, I'd like to know it now.

[Kaleva]

17. I suspect you spent many hours researching your preferred candidate...

and you used many sources to do so. It's thus extremely unlikely that something will pop up here in Democratic Primaries forum, and only here, that will cause you to drop him.

[brooklynite]

18. Do you remember Eric Massa?

He was a Vet who was elected to the House from Upstate NY in 2008. In the lead-up to the election and in the year following, he would call me to chat about politics and policy issues every 3-4 months and we would spend 20 minutes on the phone each time. You would think I had a good handle on him. The last campaign fundraiser I attended for him had an endorsement by Bill Clinton.

Then the sexual harassment accusation hit (a Senior staffer), his reputation collapsed, and he abruptly resigned.

I will NEVER assume I know everything about a politician, and if someone else finds something I missed, I'd like to know.

[Kaleva]

20. Was it DU where you found out about Eric Masa?

Would he not have resigned had we just said positive things about him?

[Bradshaw3]

15. Now if we can only get the reubs to agree to this for our nominee

Then he/she will have a safe space in the general - which they'll need after primaries in which they never have to answer any criticism.

[Kaleva]

19. Go for it.

If that's what you think is best.

[Bradshaw3]

23. I don't think it's a good idea at all

Was being facetious, which I thought was obvious. No, "protecting" ourselves or our candidates from criticism doesn't do anything but make it more likely the Democratic nominee will lose in 2020.

[Kaleva]

24. What takes place on DU has very little impact on how elections go.

It's probably not even measurable.

[Bradshaw3]

25. Then why did you make this thread?

And want DUers input?

[Kaleva]

27. There have been a few threads complaining about the attacks on candidates.

Some may consider those attacks to be constructive criticisms. It's in the eye of the beholder.

I have nothing to gain by being critical of any of the candidates running for the nomination and I'll support the nominee whoever it is. I've stated that in other posts here. And I would like to hear other DUers opinions on this.

[Kurt V.]

26. we may well be in one of the defining moments that this country faces every few generations.

the eventual nominee is going to get some bumps and bruises before the general and thats healthy.

[LAS14]

29. Doesn't the word "forum" imply "discussion?" How can you "discuss" if you vow not to criticize??? nt

[Kaleva]

30. I'm free to discuss all I want about how Sen. Harris ought to be our nominee

[LAS14]

31. But people who disagree with you must keep mum???? nt

[Kaleva]

32. You can discuss all you want the reasons you think Mayor Pete is the best person for the job

If I make an OP talking about an issue Senator Harris has recently talked about and on which I agree with her, you can counter with Mayor Pete's stated position and/or record on that issue and why you agree with it.

[LAS14]

34. I'm not a Democrat so I can have a society without free speech.... or even a DU without ....

...free Democratic speech.

[Skya Rhen]

35. I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) by Hall and Oates *** Music Video ***

[SKKY]

37. The only vow I will make, and the only vow that really matters...

...is that I will support the Democratic candidate with both money and my vote. Regardless of who that is.

[Kaleva]

38. About the tightest poll I've seen in awhile.

it's neck and neck between those who made the 1st choice and those who declined to vote.

[Kaleva]

39. kick

[ecstatic]

40. What if s/he is not a democrat and has zero chance of becoming the nominee? nt

[Kaleva]

41. If they are running to be our nominee, I won't say anything critical.

[Kaleva]

42. Kick

Been trying very hard to live up to the vow and so far, I think I've been doing pretty good.

[Raine]

43. No way, no how

that would be a vow I can't/won't make.