Does the DU environment make it harder to criticize your candidate. . .

[wndycty]

Poll question: Does the DU environment make it harder to criticize your candidate. . .

. . .for fear it just feeds those who look to take construction criticism and use it as a tool to attack your candidate?

[OKNancy]

1. the DU environment makes people insane IMO..

LOL.
Seriously, I think some people need to step away for a while.
I see way too much paranoia, hand-wringing and fear.

[BeFree]

2. Yes

There is nothing to be afraid of. The way things are going is just fine. Bushco will save us all.

[OKNancy]

6. Thank you- point proven

My post said "too much" did it not?
Never said things were fine, and obviously since I have been here since 2001 with 21,000+ posts I don't think I would be a person who would think "Bushco will save us"

[Froward69]

3. constructive criticism

Rarely exists here. especially with the Hill-bots. that word alone will get this removed. and I will be yet again threatened with expulsion.

[William769]

8. If only you knew what constructive criticism was.

[Froward69]

11. Look if Hillary actually stated her view

instead of what the opinion polls were then I would be inclined to give her a second look. If Her supporters were less arrogant in the inevitability of her nomination, I would respect Her/them more. If Hillary would be less willing to accept any corporate Dollar, she would garner my support. Actual knowledge of issues, recognition of other candidates, or even intelligent dialog eith her supporters. would garner my interest. pointing to every poll as accurate as long as hillary is leading, dismissing every poll that she looses as inaccurate. simply garners my Ire. these would usually be considered constructive criticism. However to Hillary suporters... They are simply bashing.

[Rhythm and Blue]

4. I have no problems criticizing or defending any candidate.

Nobody gives a shit about Bill Richardson, so I'm good, you know? :D

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

5. Depends how much credit you give DU readers

A lot of people are not sheep lured to the latest talking point. Many Duers note the rationality and even-handedness of supporters of various candidates and give brownie points to candidates whose supporters show some integrity.

So you should feel free to say what you think without worrying about its propaganda value. Knee-jerk partisans of other candidates will pile on, but the vastly larger number of readers (the group you want to influence) will credit your objectivity.

[NoPasaran]

7. Yes

Good thing my candidate is perfect!
:sarcasm:

[fenriswolf]

9. kinda funny

the only negative comments on kucinich on the boards have been from the uninformed.

[lligrd]

10. No, And It Shouldn't

We are going to hear it all in the General Election anyway. It is better to be prepared for it ahead of time.

I want to know as much as possible, the good, the bad and the ugly before we grant power to anybody.

[Lucinda]

12. Not for me

I'm very vocal when I agree AND when I disagree with JE or any of the other candidates. I doubt that I have any great insight that someone else hasn't already thought of :D so I am not afraid of providing ammunition.

[SteppingRazor]

13. I find that if you offer a reasoned but critical OP devoid of flames...

the ensuing posts tend to follow suit. It's when you start an OP discussing "Hillbots" or "Obamaphants" or whatever the ad hominem du jour is, that things get ugly.

[cuke]

14. Not at all

but then again, I don't give a fuck what you all think of me

[rucky]

15. Absolutely NOT.

very few people take advantage of that type of admission. Most people appreciate it, because they know that each candidate has their weaknesses. It's also opened doors to more honest and intelligent disucssion about the candidates.

[seasat]

16. I did initially but rembered how DU was during past elections.

You've got to have pretty thick skin here during election time. You'll find several posters that suddenly become members near the election and spend the majority of their time attacking certain candidates while touting their own. As soon as the primary is over, they vanish back into the woodwork.

Too many people take a swipe at their candidate personally and think that a post on DU will change the world's opinion about their candidate. I've been guilty of that mind set on occasion and have to look at the polls for a reality check. If you look at how the actual polls and compare them to the preferences here on DU, you realize that 1000's of posters could spend months blasting on the board that your candidate is a doody-head and it will not register a blip in their poll standings.

I have criticized Bill Richardson on several occasions and will continue to do so when he pisses me off. Besides, like Rhythm and Blue posted earlier, my preferred candidate is not one of the popular ones on this board so it doesn't make that much difference.