Productive discussion during the primaries

[Saviolo]

So, it's primary season again, and all of the same types of arguments are breaking out again. Sniping and smirking, snark and smugness.

Can we all stop for just 5 seconds before we post something and ask ourselves "Is this a productive addition to the conversation?" There is a real opportunity here to have a strong conversation based on policy and possibility. There are serious issues that need to be addressed. There is obviously a singular common enemy that everyone wants to remove from the White House (and he can take that rowdy band of brigands with him when he leaves). Everyone in the primaries is potentially electable, now is the time to talk about ideas, to talk about what is possible, about our dreams and goals.

No more sniping, no more shitty snarky comments about this or that. Build your candidate up. The more positive the conversation we have, the more people will be engaged and will be positive about the process.

Candidates are going to say crappy things about other candidates. It's a competition. We as supporters don't need to engage in this. "But but but but..." let it go. Stand on your preferred candidate's policies and positions. Make something to vote for not only something to vote against. We've all got the same few goals; to make Trump lose, to hopefully oust McConnell, to regain the Senate, to appoint SCOTUS judges, to try to stop the bleeding. And we can do it, and the best way to go about it is to go forth with positivity and optimism about what we CAN do.

Is your criticism framed as constructive criticism, or is it sniping and snarky? Is your post passive aggressive? Have you provided a source for your claims?

Do you know what's stopping us from having a good, rich, positive discussion?

Absolutely nothing. We could do it right now if we decided we wanted to.

[emmaverybo]

1. Super post. I will take your comments to heart. I have to remember that all candidates rep us as

Dems. Their good publicity, buzz, tv interviews, opinions and policies get the overall message out to the nation. Dems have the people at the center of their politics and will make this country better in every way.
If my candidate of choice loses the primary, the goodwill he has earned goes on to another Dem. And he endorses.
The good thing is that Dems are visible, talking our beliefs, countering the Trump regime.
Every candidate is potential for a major change in the direction these extremists are taking us.

[mtnsnake]

2. I agree but good luck with that

This board has become a magnet for a ton of people who have nothing better to do than to bash Bernie Sanders 24/7. If there was only a choice between Sanders and Biden, I would opt for Biden only because I think he has a better chance to beat Trump than Sanders does, but the toxic manner in which so many of the Biden posters go after Sanders here on DU is sickening. Most of the people here on DU are great, but thank goodness the most vocal of the Sanders haters polluting the forum aren't even close to representing how most Democratic voters feel about anything that matters.

[Saviolo]

4. And not just Sanders, either.

I've seen snark about just about everyone. Snark against Biden, snark against Warren, snark snark snark snark.

It's all noise. It's pointless. It's a waste of energy when that energy should be spent attacking the actual enemies: the GOP and Trump.

[DownriverDem]

9. So true

That is why I support Biden. trump doesn't want to run against Biden. That should say it all.

[DownriverDem]

10. I hope you know why

[Laelth]

3. I continue to prefer "more speech" to "less speech."

I am a First Amendment junkie and a believer in the American way--just talk about it, if you feel like it, and ignore the people who don't like what you have to say.

-Laelth

[Saviolo]

5. I'd just love for the talk to be more positive and optimistic.

I'd never tell people that they can't say whatever they want about whatever candidate they want, I'm just saying that some of the language we use is discouraging to each other. We're all on roughly the same side here, and if we go forward talking more about what we CAN do, it will make us stronger together instead of bickering and sniping.

[Laelth]

6. I hear you, but this is DU.

Don't look for peace, love, and harmony during primary season. You will not find that here.

Cheers!

-Laelth

[DownriverDem]

8. Too many

don't get it. You have to appeal to more than Dems.

[JudyM]

11. If you call redundantly boring as all hell grade school sneering "speech" I'd disagree.

[DownriverDem]

7. I'm not against any of the candidates, but

I want a candidate that can beat trump. Many folks are moving towards Biden. They don't want to take a chance on newbies. Some folks just don't seem to get it.