Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumDear Biden and Sanders supporters
as well as supporters of all the other candidates, attacks on other candidates is a real turn off to an undecided person like myself. Youre really just admitting that you cant make a positive argument for your chosen candidate so you have to resort to attacks. That makes me less likely support your candidate, not more.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Sanders has taken this to where I really (dislike) him and everything he stands for.
It didn't need to get here as I do not feel the same towards the other candidates.
My feelings, my vote!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
KPN
(15,646 posts)Lol. That was good.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TheBlackAdder
(28,208 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)look like in a month.😳
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
katmondoo
(6,457 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Andy823
(11,495 posts)Full of "trolls" who "claim" to be supporting one candidate or another, yet they continue to stir things up, post lies, smear people, push "doom and gloom", throw out the old "both parties are the same, so why waste time voting, and all other kinds of scorched earth scenarios their evil minds can come up with.
A couple of things to remember, don't feed the trolls, and just because they "claim" to support one of the democrats running doesn't mean they really do. Their goal is simply to divide, in any way they can, the posters on DU, and hope that some will buy into their BS and not vote.
Remember when Democrats get out and vote, republican will loose! This has to be the most important election our country has seen. We can't let the narcissist trump continue to destroy everything this country stands for.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)What scares me is, if they went to lengths to plan the assassination of a US diplomat on foreign soil, that tells me they will do absolutely anything to secure his re election. I have faith the American people are tired of this crap and will show up in droves to be rid of him.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Act_of_Reparation
(9,116 posts)They're fanboys. Grown-ass adults somehow got themselves enamored with a politician like they're some kind of fucking rock star. It's sad, really.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
TheBlackAdder
(28,208 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Wabbajack_
(1,300 posts)What someone's supporters on the internet act like.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)Joe dropped out of 2016 due to the death of his son.
He is still the most qualified in 2020!
AG Harris. Sic "em!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)on whatever criteria I like. Its called democracy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Wabbajack_
(1,300 posts)Said you shouldn't, and that's my opinion.
Plenty of assholes support every candidate and what they may say here on DU or twitter has little to do with anything in the real world.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)are a reflection of the candidate. That is the real world.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)All you're seeing on DU is a very, very small subset of a candidate's supporters and they're really not representative of anything other than themselves. I'd argue that a candidate's staff and surrogates are much more representative. If a candidate's high-level staff is routinely stoking the flames, there's a pretty good chance that it's at the behest of the candidate.
Also keep in mind that not everyone on DU is what he or she appears to be. DU has its share of trolls, as there have always been, and there are a not-significant number of aggressive supporters of candidates who I suspect aren't supporters at all. Some seem to be doing more to alienate everyone and foster division than support their supposed candidates. The worst of them should probably just be ignored.
All that being said, this happens here every cycle like clockwork. Believe it or not, this is pretty low on the animosity scale as far as cycles go. 2008 and 2016 were both far worse, and 2004 likely was, as well.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)Its Twitter, Facebook, CNN, etc.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TwilightZone
(25,471 posts)And they're responsible for 66% of the links posted.
Again, not representative of reality.
Facebook isn't any better. In fact, it's worse. At least Twitter actively tries to fight them. Facebook doesn't care that it's buried in fake accounts because $$$$.
Sources:
https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/09/twitter-bots-share-66-percent-links-popular-websites/
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/10/nearly-48-million-twitter-accounts-could-be-bots-says-study.html
https://www.wired.com/story/twitter-abusive-apps-machine-learning/
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)And attacking Democrats wont help beat Trump l
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)happen it's human nature unfortunately and this is not the first post about this topic and I don't think there is anything that can stop it.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)But I do take into account what supporters say.
Weaver. Sirota. Moore. Sarandon. Turner. West. Etc.
And they have made it sure Im not voting for Sanders.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
DacreMont8
(3 posts)Are you saying that if Bernie Sanders wins the primaries and becomes the democratic nominee for POTUS, you will not vote for him?
I'd appreciate an honest reply.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
squirecam
(2,706 posts)What do you think.....Im supporting the democrat.
Im not one who would vote for trump. Or Stein.
Like Turner did. Or Sarandon.
Perhaps your time would be better spent convincing those online twitter supporters who will only vote for Bernie to vote Democrat.
Because Bernie is not going to be the nominee.
Partly due to.....Turner and Sarandon.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
awesomerwb1
(4,268 posts)are just the tip of the iceberg. I do a lot of posting online (except for facebook which I gave up years ago and I only keep to check and reply to people who take the time to wish me a happy birthday). Anyways, to continue my previous thought: I do a lot of posting online to try to counter the lies from russiapublican congresspeople, personalities, etc. Perhaps more than is good for my health. And I can tell you the worst offenders attacking Democrats and the Democratic party who they love to refer to as "the establishment" are Bernie bros. I can't tell you how many tweets or posts I read every single day about Bernie supporters happily explaining that they will not vote for anyone besides Bernie. MANY of them voted for trump in 2016 and will happily do so again in 2020.
To the thread starter: I personally had never experienced a primary in DU before and I am absolutely disgusted by the attacks on the candidates coming especially from the supporters of the candidate I mentioned above.
I am VERY close to blocking the Primaries group because it reaches a level of fanaticism from the usual posters that is a major turn off.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
JustAnotherGen
(31,828 posts)eom
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LakeArenal
(28,820 posts)Stop trying to get folks suspended or kicked out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)... and what they don't do and don't say... and whether he (or she) continually smears and denigrates the Democratic party.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
grantcart
(53,061 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
question everything
(47,486 posts)Sanders is not a Democrat, has never been a Democrat, except when playing his game in the Vt Senatorial primaries, has actively campaigned against Democrats including wishing for someone to primary challenge Obama.
And for some of us there is still the bitter taste that many of Sanders supporters stayed home in 2016 and many voted foe Trump.
While Sanders has not used the term carnage, he, also Warren, campaign on how awful things are. it was a striking difference at the last debate who Biden concluded his remarks expressing his support in trusting in a country that can overcome any obstacles.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RandiFan1290
(6,237 posts)and I love how much that bothers you!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to RandiFan1290 (Reply #38)
MrsCoffee This message was self-deleted by its author.
question everything
(47,486 posts)If he is not the nominee, will you vote for the one?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
brooklynite
(94,592 posts)I post material about candidates. Some of it is critical. I will continue to do so.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
PandoraAwakened
(905 posts)Post material on all. I make up my mind based on what I read from credible news sources, not from all the commentary that follows.
The only commentary I pay any real attention to in this forum are those that are highly detailed, present additional facts, and aren't just sycophantic ramblings.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NYMinute
(3,256 posts)(in my best childlike voice)
Jokes aside, there is one candidate who went negative consistently. Supporters of other candidates are only reacting.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
tiredtoo
(2,949 posts)Posts on candidates. All they accomplished is getting some to declare they will not vote for certain candidates. A negative report does not get votes, it gets people mad and possible non voters. Please, please, please stop with the negativity.
Thank you.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
mac2766
(658 posts)I agree with Dem4Life1102. Just stop it. We appreciate that you've made your choice. We respect it even. Some of you seem not to have any respect or appreciation for the rest of us. Each of us deserve to be able to make our choice without having to endure such deprecating remarks from some.
Ultimately, we all need to be able to say that no matter who is nominated to run as the Democratic presidential candidate in the general election, that we will vote for that person. No matter who we support during the primaries.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Big Chief
(28 posts)Base your vote on what the candidates positions are rather than whose supporters are nicer?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Dem4Life1102
(3,974 posts)Character means something otherwise we are just hypocrites when we criticize Trump supporters.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
warmfeet
(3,321 posts)Infighting is not helpful. Let's work together. Big picture.
I will vote for the democratic nominee.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
McKim
(2,412 posts)We must vote Blue not matter who!!!! Infighting is not likely to encourage fence sitters if their favorite candidate is attacked by anther democrat. Besides, it is a cheap shot and shows that the instigator is more interested in their own personal power than having us all pull together. I have been very saddened by the attacks on Sanders, Biden and Warren. Please, we are fighting for the last chance of our country to be something worth living in! This is bigger than any squabble.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LW1977
(1,235 posts)Our #1 goal should be getting that orange piece of shit out of the White House! Enough with the in-fighting!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
myohmy2
(3,163 posts)...you feel that way...
...I will personally try to be more sensitive and aware...
...thank you for the heads-up...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Hassler
(3,379 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
PandoraAwakened
(905 posts)Last edited Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:30 PM - Edit history (1)
I have, of late, been pondering the nature of the "hissy-fit soundbites" that some posters feel compelled to regurgitate---not only when unflattering information is presented about their chosen candidate, but also when positive information on any other candidate is presented.
Seeing this and comparing it to commentary coming from supporters of other candidates, here's the question I decided to investigate:
Is there something to be learned about a candidate's own intrinsic qualities based on how his/her supporters react to simple presentations of fact?
After perusing thousands of comments posted over the past two months in response to OPs in the Democratic Primaries Forum that featured information from news sources, here's what I've found:
The "Soundbite" Patrol
Noticing that DISMISSIVENESS and DEFLECTION seemed to be predominant traits in the comments of one candidate's supporters, I looked deeper into the record of that candidate and came to realize how often his own dismissiveness (sometimes of facts, sometimes of certain groups) ended up having real-world, devastating consequences for so many. I also found he was very skilled in deflection, thus taking quite a long time to own up to decisions made and actions taken that were harmful to others. Fear of Trump seems to be the main argument presented in his defense by his supporters.
With another candidate, supporter commentary showed a strong thread of INDIGNANCY and SKEPTICISM in their responses. When looking deeper into their candidate of choice, I found that he is, indeed, downright indignant about a number of issues, which seems to have a uniting effect on some, but a divisive effect on others. His record does, in fact, have notable moments of healthy skepticism, such as opposition to the Iraq occupation. His supporters are fervent and seem mission-oriented, kind of like crusaders out to right societal injustices, which explains the indignancy.
The above two candidates have the largesse of "soundbite" commentary going on. While there certainly are examples of more cogent arguments from their supporters, these are by and large greatly overshadowed by the non-substantive comments.
Just the Facts, Please
On the other hand, the bulk of the commentary from supporters of three other specific candidates tended to be REFLECTIVE, NUANCED, and DETAILED. When I researched the backgrounds of those candidates, I found that, once again, this correlated with the candidates' own records and decision-making skills. Their supporters seem to be more issue- and policy-oriented, particularly on healthcare, women's rights, and other kitchen table issues. They also don't seem to be particularly swayed by fear-based or crusader-based appeals.
I also noted a marked decrease in commentary by the above supporters as the "soundbite" commentary increases. Based on more than a few remarks I read, it appears such discourse reminds them of Trump, authoritarianism, and cult-like behavior that seeks to silence and mock voices failing to exhibit blind, unquestioning loyalty. It also turns them off to the candidates whose supporters engage in such.
Conclusion
In all, it was a fascinating exercise to complete and a real eye-opener. There does, indeed, appear to be a direct correlation between how supporters react to being presented with facts and their chosen candidate's own intrinsic qualities.
If you are indeed still undecided and truly want to get the measure of a candidate, I highly recommend you set aside a few hours and backtrack through supporter commentary in this forum. Then ask yourself, which of these groups respond more closely to your own heart, because that's how their candidate of choice is most likely to respond to your own concerns.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cornell Engineer
(80 posts)compared to Clinton & Obama (and their supporters) duking it out back in 2008. Now THAT bitter knockdown-dragout fight got super-ugly and I lost a few online friends during that war...LOL. I initially supported Biden back then before switching to Obama when Joe never got untracked and ended up clashing something fierce with former allies who I had once stood shoulder to shoulder with in the trenches as we fought clueless cons during the Dubya & Big Dick years. Some of these cyberpals backed Hillary and we ended up at each others' throats to the delight of onlooking Republicans and trust me, there is hardly anything more disgusting in this world than making a Gopper gleeful.
Of course, it's still way early yet so it'll almost certainly get worse before it gets better so best prepare yourself for that. Democrats were lucky that we were able to survive that nasty skirmish and still win in 2008...we may not be that lucky again if we're not careful so let's all hope it doesn't get anywhere near that bad before we finally nominate somebody. The way I look at it is that practically every single Dem candidate (those still in and those who have already dropped out) on their absolute worst day in office would still be at least 10 times better than Fuhrer Drumpf on his best day (assuming he ever has one). It's just that some of them would never get the chance to prove it so we must choose wisely.
I never cared for all of the massive baggage that Bill & Hillary were constantly toting around but that didn't stop me from voting for her back in 2016...I despised Dirty Don so much that my mail-in ballot was in the mailbox the very next morning after I received it. Those Dems whose preferred candidates don't end up the eventual winner had damn well better swallow their pride come November or we'll all be eating shit sandwiches served up by President Putinpuppet for another 4 years.
Sometimes you just gotta take one for the team and if this isn't one of those times then I don't know what the hell is.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)Welcome to DU
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
beachbumbob
(9,263 posts)why would I?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
squirecam
(2,706 posts)If the surrogates dont matter, then why have them?
I agree that opinions from Bob from Newark on an online forum dont really matter. But what the surrogates say online and at rallies certainly does.
Apologies to anyone from Newark. Or named Bob.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden