Driving Up the Negatives of Democrat Nominee

While most Democrats have very little interest in the actual policy positions of the two remaining candidates (Hillary and Obama), many are fascinated by trivia, arguments about character and honesty, and really excited by endless and self-generating allegations of unfair treatment by the rival candidate. The cumulative impact has been rising negatives for both candidates, and the steady improvement of McCain's prospects, in spite of his rather unimpressive campaigning efforts, and the scary prospects of an economic team shaped by people like Phil Gramm and Jack Kemp.

Most of the blame for this should not be assigned to the candidates, who actually show some restraint, given the instincts and actions of their staff and supporters. The story here is really the blogsphere and the increasingly partisan and opinionated "journalists" who seem want the freedom of bloggers to say just about anything.

In both 2000 and 2004, there was quite a bit a criticism directed at Ralph Nader for attacking the Democrat nominee, and driving up their negatives. This time around, the wounds seem to be quite-self inflicted, and increasingly effective in reducing the electability of either candidate (or combinations of the two).

Follow James Love on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamie_love

Comments

[TheMisanthrope]

05:42 PM on 03/27/2008

Excellent point! I've been saying this for a while.

Stop the insanity! Pick a nominee, not a fight!

[LanceJetson]

05:22 PM on 03/27/2008

"While most Democrats have very little interest in the actual policy positions of the two remaining candidates..." WHAT? So you know what all Democrats think, huh? And that the blogosphere is an acurate reflection of their real interests? I don't remember you asking me. I could just as easily generalize and say that "most Democrats" are fed up with "trivia, arguments about character and honesty, and ...endless and self-generating allegations of unfair treatment by the rival candidate," and wish the press and blogosphere would quit assuming that all we want are gossip and gripe grapevines, and wish they would actually accept responsibility for communicating the "actual policy positions" of the candidates.

It may be true that "The story here is really the blogsphere and the increasingly partisan and opinionated "journalists" who seem want the freedom of bloggers to say just about anything." But don't paint the Democratic voters with that same brush, please.

[GonzoBum]

05:06 PM on 03/27/2008

It's because the Democrats like to think of themselves as free thinkers and they push their own agenda based upon social issues, while the republicans put all reservations aside in order to unify and ensure they maintain their power and protect themselves against losing their money. Democrats need to unite in order to build a strong base otherwise the republicans will remain in power and gurantee that the issues Democrats are concerned with are never properly addressed and continue to bicker until this country collapses under the weight of its' own greed.

[grendl]

04:47 PM on 03/27/2008

Amazing that McCain is making his foreign policy blunders, and he's not even in this slugfest yet. Almost as if he feels left out, and said to his advisers, " Hey, I can screw up just as much as those guys."

I would argue its making Barack Obama stronger. If the Wright stuff surfaced after he won the nomination, which he will, he'd be toast in the national election, but he's had time to diffuse that particular bomb.

In fact, the GOP must be getting a bit mad at Hillary for beating them to the punch. Every stunt her campaign has pulled, has in the long run backfired. He's taken a lot of hard shots, low blows, and he's still standing, and that's what we need for the left. Not someone who crumbles, after being swiftboated, or lets a photograph sink his campaign, someone to stay the course, and remain resolute despite the perpetual resurrection of Rovian machinations.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

[Mickeleh]

06:34 PM on 03/27/2008

Is it the author or the editor of this post who chose to annoy Democrats by using "Democrat" as an adjective in the headline. The correct term is "Democratic Nominee." "Democrat Nominee" is usage preferred only by Republicans who lack respect for the Democratic Party.

[magen]

03:39 PM on 03/28/2008

Yup, they emphasize the RAT at the end of democrat.

So the correct response is republiCONS emphasizing the CON.