The Primaries: To Fight, To Not Fight. Is It War?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

This comes up all the time: "I was turned off to Dean when he started attacking the other candidates."

Take Dean out the race for a moment. Would any "attacks" have been made by those in the lower tier towards those in the upper tier had Dean not been there to start it? My answer is an unqualified "yes." We've got people here from age 14-80+; has anyone ever seen a contested primary in which the candidates didn't have a go at each other? My answer is an unqualified "no." E.g., McCain/Boooosh, Bradley/Gore...ad infinitum.

Every political race has seen this phenomena. For over 200 years.

So, dig in, explore the candidates weaknesses and strengths and LET'S GO TO WAR!




We'll all reunite in March, all the stronger for it! (Comparatively, we're not that far apart from each other).

[molly]

1. Was I hearing things on Buchannan & Press

when Dean said that he wanted the US to get the UN involved in Iraq that we couldn't just pull out?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. Probably not.

What would you suggest?

Like it or not, UN or not, we have a responsibility towards the Iraqi people. I never wanted the war but there's no way we can just pull out. Let's bring in the UN, thereby removing the "America is there for oil" reason, and do the right thing. Give them self-rule. Let the chips fall where they may. We owe it to the 10,000+ dead.

What do you think?

On edit: I think Kerry and Dean agree on this.

[molly]

4. My point exactly!

so what is their major difference - besides health care and balancing the budget and JOBS?

[killbotfactory]

5. Kerry supported the Iraq war

Dean didn't.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. Hmmm.

I think much of it is visceral. My gut says "Dean." Yours says "Kerry." We're both right.

When candidates are so ideologically close together one has to find (manufacture?) differences. It's kind of a game, I guess. Ultimately, you're responsible for your interpretation of the candidates. Debates, flamefests and spin all make the fine distinctions more apparent. This isn't a search for right and wrong, just a search for the most palatable feeling in your gut.

[killbotfactory]

3. That's what he's been saying since before the war ended.

So, you probably aren't hearing things.