"I will defend any candidate against media assassination"

Dean was half-assassinated over the 'Scream', Kerry's likely to get his soon, pundits keep writing Clark off, Edwards' turn is coming. I'll pledge to defend any of the candidates against deliberate kneecapping by a hostile media. What about you guys?

P.S. Lieberman's nearly out, and the media have hardly touched him, so there's no need to say 'what about Lieberman?'

ON EDIT - I'm not talking about fact-based criticism, this is about smears, slander, dirty tricks, image manipulation and unfounded allegations.

I'll support our candidates against lies and distortions, but when they start rollcalling Kerry's liberal voting record over the last two decades, he's on his own.

I don't protest it when they tell the truth about Clark, I'm not going to protest it when they tell the truth about Kerry or Edwards or Dean.

i don't understand -- is there a problem with kerry's voting record?
what the media will try to do to kerry -- is to gore him.
they'll tell the truth up to a point then spin it as though liberalism is some how inferior, weak, inherently dishonest, etc.

attacks.

because the media's job is kneecapping and i don't have enough time.

If I had to spend five minutes on every media hack job, I'd have no time for Matlock. ;)

therefore i won't lift a finger to help their candidates.

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My sentiments exactly. It might be different if fellow DLC dems didn't jump on the media assination bandwagon every time it pulled through town.
Contend on issues, but never stand with the media against your own. That's bad politics no matter where you're from.

as well as calling Wesley Clark a Republican. Yeah, Dean has been an innocent bystander to all these attacks :eyes:

True story.

I hereby recend my vote. :P

Dean was definitely assassinated. Don't think so? I've got Knute Rockne and about a hundred legendary American speeches that everyone loves that say Dean's type of speech usually inspires people, not turn them off. Total media assassination (and I don't want to absolve the sheeple out there who let it happen.)

I'm thinking a little of the same medicine might do them some good.

As a defense of this position, this is a primary election, not the general. Obviously, I'll support the nominee in the general.

Hopefully the good me will show up to back that up.

will have to carry the water for whatever candidate they support. It won't be me. My vote is the only support that any of those candidates might get.

"I will utilize the baseless media assasination talking points to help my candidate."

and barely that. If a third party starts polling greater than 2.5%, he might not even get that.

Dean. So, he got a little enthusiastic? Big deal. So he is somehow unelectable? He is not my top choice, but I would vote for him over Bush*, any day. The media seems to be deciding this election.:grr:

the stations constantly watch each other, all it takes is for one to start the lie, and others pick it up almost instantaneously.

The coverage of Dean's scream was constant. I heard it every time I turned on the television. They are just waiting for Kerry, now that he's the front runner, to make some small gaffe, so they can run with it. I agree, it's instantaneous.:-(

can't stand up for themselves effectively (made that mistake with Gore).

I'll call out whoreishness where I see it. But I'm also calling out candidates who can't deal with it effectively.

;)

the past week on every TV station I watched. About personal matters and false statements, not about issues.

He did his best to explain, stay above the attack mode, and respond....to no avail. The media pundits just dislike him on a personal level, plus there's a bit of the "Who does he think he is? Never having run for elected office before and then to try this?" He was also attacked by Kerry quite a bit (Kerry and his campaign are ruthless).

Good for Clark that he didn't whine about it or ask McAuliffe to step in and do something.

But no other candidate attempted to do or say anything, or even to step back when asked about it. They joined in as well. Even Edwards (Mr. positive campaigner himself).

So it's too late for Clark. Like the Neil Young song says, "Oh, my, the damage done." I also think it's too late for Dean. The media likes Dean, I think, but they can't help zeroing in on his weaknesses, although for the most part they stick to the issues.

It's Kerry's turn, now. Part of the process is to see how the candidate gets through hell by fire, 'cause hell is what's coming with the Bush campaign.

the lack of protecting and defending each and every candidate BY each and every candidate.

The candidates have all been guilty, minus a woman named Carole Mosely Braun in my opinion. She defended a candidate, but never actively sought to attack one of her own. I believe a true leader is able to view the bigger picture and rarely vears from her target. But alas, she is (often) a woman, who resides in a capitalistic and ever increasing patriarchal world.

I believe there is one crucial aspect missing in many of the male species, and that seems to be protecting and defending the tribe when the chips are down, despite the GENDER OR potential for FINANCIAL GAIN.....(perhaps Im wrong because I do see incredible loyalty and unity within men), and

no doubt women engage in this flawed perception as well, however in a larger scope, I am beginning to think the influence of monetary gain, an obsession for power and control and what it allows short term, are the biggest obstacles to progress for our nation and our world.

The Democratic candidates, for better or for worse are in the same tribe. You would not know that, due to the establishment forces that continue to control, divide and convince candidates that they must play by establishment rules. At this point I myself am questioning the sacredness of our tribe, mainly due to the baseless and unwarranted attacks against those who are willing to speak what needs to be spoken.

Unfortunately the razzle dazzle and oakwood-donned, cigar-smelling rooms of establishment often seduce eyes that normally would be more focused. Competition is one thing, striving to be the best is ANOTHER.

The best means of progress I believe are defined by integrity, reserve, and a faith in the highest good for ALL, and that includes a candidate who will defend and protect another candidate who is being unfairly maligned, DESPITE THE OUTCOME.

Its a gift to be able to see the bigger picture and not just talk about it. Actions must follow words, that are now becoming the cheapest of sounds.

I have admired her composure, plus liked what she had to say. When I took the time to really listen, I felt she was saying what I thought. If you remember, during one of the debates, she complained that she and Dennis weren't getting to say anything because nobody was mad at them!:crazy:

We simply cannot fall into the rightwing trap by defining our candidates according to RNC talking points. People please recognize the damage that various candidate bashing threads I've seen today are going to do to the final winner of this primary campaign.