After reading some left leaning blogs this primary campaign season, you kind of have to remind yourself that people don’t all think alike. You don’t want to draw some false conclusions that paint everyone in a particular group with too wide a brush. It has been pretty tough for me to read those blogs.
The stars seem to be aligning for the Democrats in 2008. They have two history making candidates wanting to be the next President, a current President whose approval rating puts him in league with some nasty people like Nixon and Hitler, and some of the largest turn outs for a primary in decades.
It all seems good so what is the problem?
At least from a blog perspective the problem is too much of a good thing and internal strife is threatening to sour people on the whole mess.
What do I mean?
Well I expected to see and read negative stories and treatment of Hillary Clinton in the mainstream press (MSM) since that has been their bread and butter since the Clinton administration. From “stories” about her pantsuits to repeating invectives as news, the MSM has shown no love for Hillary.
I just didn’t expect to read those negative stories in left leaning blogs like Daily Kos as well as local the Buckeye State Blog.
Just today 2/29/2008, there were three negative Hillary stories on the front page of Daily Kos. Clinton allies threaten “imminent” lawsuit over Texas caucuses and The Dog That Hasn’t Barked and Ickes and Penn, After School, Behind the Bike Racks
On Buckeye State it had Ted Steps In With The Hail Marry Clinton Ad, Toledo Blade Loves That Obama Guy and Note To The Clinton Campaign on its front page today.
And don’t get me started on some of the comments to articles on those blogs. One would think you came across a right wing blog with all the b and c words used about Hillary and the Clinton’s in general and watch out if you try to post a negative Obama story or comment.
I get it. I know that these blogs and the regular contributors have taken sides. I know they don’t write in the subtle manner of the conservative loving MSM. I understand that some people are very passionate and have put in many hours of labor and love to promote their candidate. What bothers me is the personal attacks.
Sure complain about the person’s views or previous votes but stop with the personal attacks. Stop with the irrelevant look at campaign tactics and strategy. Both candidates are going to do everything to win. Just because you don’t like a particular candidate doesn’t make their tactic any better or worse. I need to point out that Bill Clinton was popular and won reelection because he out Republicaned the GOP and took the Democrats to the center. John Kerry, in 2004, stayed with the Northeastern liberal elites and lost.
And what does that say about those readers and writers who take right wing talking points that have been used in the past and pass them off as proof that Hillary is no good yet dismiss talking points that paint Obama in a negative light.
It has come to the point that I have practically stopped reading those blogs. I skim the titles and skip about 80%. I still read Cheers and Jeers on Daily Kos.
This year it looks like no matter who is the Democratic candidate this will be the year for change in the White House. My fear is these inter-family squabbles might upset the apple cart and the Democrats will miss out again like they did in 2000.
