The common denominator of 2008 and 2016

[Armstead]

I don't know how many remember how totally ugly the 2008 primary campaign got. But it was ugleeeeee.

2016. The campaign is getting ugleeeee.

What's the common denominator?

If you look at President Obama's overall history, he is NOT a dirty campaigner. He prefers the high road. He has always focused on issues and aspirations.

If you look at Bernie Sanders' history, he has an aversion to dirty campaigning. He much prefers to fight over ideas and, similar to Obama, he is an aspirational candidate.

So what's the common denominator in those campaigns, 2008 and 2016 in which basically positive, clean politicians are sucked into a mud pit?

Take a guess.

[bigwillq]

1. The Clintons

Dirty politics.

[Bad Thoughts]

2. Aspirational? More like a firebrand

I get that he is getting young people into the political process, but I think that has more to do with focusing their frustrations.

[Armstead]

4. He is stating a problem that most [politicians have ignored and...

saying that we can do better if we wake up as citizenry.

You are free to disagree, but he is focused on issues rather than personalities.

[Bad Thoughts]

7. I don't disagree with that at all

But he has an earthiness that seems antithetical to being aspirational.

[Armstead]

11. Bernie can sometimes be too honest for his own good...

But between that and the results of slickness over the last 40 years,, I prefer earthiness at this point.

[earthshine]

3. In 2008, I supported H over O ...

and her "dirty campaigning" moved me right into the other camp.

In retrospect, I think H could have been a better president than O. She is much more of a fighter, and that is needed.

However, now, I fear she will fight for the wrong causes.

The Diogenes of legend would have found his "honest man" in Bernie Sanders.

[morningfog]

5. And who has been dogged by scandal their entire political careers?

Not Obama. 7+ years as President and not a whiff of scandal.

Sanders has 30+ years of public service, not a whiff of scandal.

The Clintons? Fucking tomes of scandals. A new scandal every month for 30 years. And it ain't because they are such great people.

[TTUBatfan2008]

17. Obama's biggest scandals...

Involved Hillary at the State Department!

[morningfog]

6. Why anyone would want 4-8 years of this is beyond me.

[tk2kewl]

8. Unfortunately if she the candidate it may be more like 3 months of it

[Armstead]

9. Alas I think you are correct

[Wilms]

10. ^

[Hydra]

12. Someone in the race is cranky that a coronation didn't happen already n/t

[amborin]

13. the divisive, compromised, unprincipled Clintons

[SheenaR]

14. Lest we not forget

The John Edwards haircut fiasco.

[restorefreedom]

15. ooohh...pick me!

i know....

[liberal_at_heart]

16. K&R