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Skinner

(63,645 posts)
Mon Jun 20, 2016, 02:20 PM Jun 2016

Welcome to General Election Season 2016 [View all]

This discussion thread was locked by Skinner (a host of the Announcements group).

As promised, General Election season on Democratic Underground starts today. Hillary Clinton is the presumptive Democratic nominee, the Democratic primary voting ended last Tuesday, and you've had nearly a week since then to take your last-minute pot-shots at each other (if you felt so inclined). Whether you like it or not, the time has come to put the acrimonious primary behind us and start looking forward to the General Election fight against Donald Trump.

The good news is that most DU members have already started the transition to General Election season on their own. The tone of discussions has improved significantly over the last couple weeks without any new software or admin intervention. This should come as no surprise -- we have been through two contested primaries on DU before, and each time the members of DU were able to come together for General Election season. Most people understand that this is now a battle between Democrats and Republicans for control of the White House, Congress, and local governments across the country. And most people understand the importance of joining together to support our presidential nominee -- Hillary Clinton -- and defeat their presidential nominee -- Donald Trump. (If you don't understand this, then you weren't supposed to be here in the first place.)

Still, there are likely to be a few people on both sides of the former Clinton-Sanders divide who want to keep fighting the primaries. To ensure that this website does not play host to a never-ending rehash of the 2016 Democratic primaries, we have made some pretty big changes to the way we run it. I posted some useful information about these changes in a previous post here. Here's what you need to know:

DU now has clear posting rules
The biggest change is that the site now has clear posting rules about civility and content, and we will insist that all of our members follow those rules. If you want to know whether something is permitted, check the rules to find out. It is the job of jurors to make sure the rules are followed.

Our focus is on encouraging civility
Most of the discussion on DU about general election season has been focused on what people can say about Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. But the admins feel a much more important issue is what people can say about other DU members. The civility standards during primary season were awful, and it seemed like most of the discussions were aimed at vilifying other DU members rather than discussing issues. This needs to change. The new rules have a very strong focus on civility.

Your expectations are probably wrong
Judging from some of the discussions among members here, it seems that many people on both sides of the former Clinton-Sanders divide have unrealistic expectations about what is going to be permitted during general election season. In particular, many people seem to be under the mistaken impression that members will not be permitted to criticize Hillary Clinton. This is simply wrong. Constructive criticism of Democratic public figures is always welcome on Democratic Underground, and our rules still permit that. As I said in a previous post: "If you are criticizing Hillary Clinton because you want to help her succeed, then you'll be fine. But if you are criticizing Hillary Clinton because you want to tear her down, then you won't be fine."

We want people to stop bashing Hillary Clinton and also Bernie Sanders
It is going to be much harder for the members of this website to come together if we keep bashing former primary candidates or their supporters. We are Democrats and we are all Clinton supporters now. Our opponents are Donald Trump and the Republican Party. So starting threads to attack Clinton supporters or Sanders supporters makes no sense, and it is also counter-productive.

You are permitted to support Bernie Sanders' efforts to influence the platform and the party
Everyone, including Bernie Sanders, knows that Hillary Clinton has clinched the Democratic nomination for president. But Bernie Sanders has made clear that he intends to use the leverage he has gained in the primaries in order to effect reforms he supports. This is entirely appropriate for him to do, and DU members are of course permitted to support his efforts. But everyone needs to understand that Bernie Sanders is not going to be the Democratic nominee, and those who support his reform efforts must do so without bashing Hillary Clinton or trying to undermine her candidacy against Donald Trump. The primary contest is over.

There will be some hiccups during this transition
The transition from primary season to general election season is a pretty big change that includes both software changes and rule changes. We have made every effort to smooth the transition, but we fully expect there to be some unexpected problems along the way -- software bugs, rule changes, confusion about expectations, or whatever. We'll be keeping a very close eye on things to make sure that everything is working as it should, so please bear with us as we make this transition, and try to be flexible and understanding.

Thanks again for being here at Democratic Underground as we move forward into an exciting general election campaign and hopefully landslide victories everywhere this November!

158 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Thank you, Skinner! Arkansas Granny Jun 2016 #1
Thank you for the clarification!! Else You Are Mad Jun 2016 #2
Thanks. William769 Jun 2016 #3
Thank You! liberalnarb Jun 2016 #4
Love your sig line! sheshe2 Jun 2016 #17
I appreciate it. Though I think half the site put me on ignore. liberalnarb Jun 2016 #18
I don't.... sheshe2 Jun 2016 #23
That's funny! I think you are one of the very few Bernie supporters that I don't have on ignore! Walk away Jun 2016 #77
Okay, not sure how I should feel about that. I'm not ditching Bernie, just supporting the nominee. liberalnarb Jun 2016 #110
That seems reasonable to me. Walk away Jun 2016 #116
Not on mine Loki Jun 2016 #104
This Bernie supporter awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #134
I too love your sig line! auntpurl Jun 2016 #27
I had a long chat with another Bernie supporter, yesterday. Your sig line sums up our thoughts, too Siwsan Jun 2016 #41
Did you take a bleach bath after your trip to DI? leftofcool Jun 2016 #44
Well, I logged in, saw a trump supporter saying climate change is a hoax liberalnarb Jun 2016 #49
It is fun confronting the idiot trump supporters Gothmog Jun 2016 #125
Thanks to Skinner - and also to you, liberalnarb! calimary Jun 2016 #90
Just a FYI for others here. herding cats Jun 2016 #5
That was confusing. Skinner Jun 2016 #31
Thanks for fixing it. herding cats Jun 2016 #37
It might help if there was a sentence in this OP saying "you will be asked to agree muriel_volestrangler Jun 2016 #102
I was taken aback by that notice also. HubertHeaver Jun 2016 #83
There wasn't even a notice, it simply did not let me rec. herding cats Jun 2016 #91
K&R! stonecutter357 Jun 2016 #6
Good luck! brer cat Jun 2016 #7
Thanks Skinner IronLionZion Jun 2016 #8
Yes, seems fair if both sides follow the rules, which, from past experience, I expect will happen. InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 2016 #121
There will be assholes in both camps awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #135
No way we can allow that tRumpster fire to win under any circumstances. Period... whatever it takes. InAbLuEsTaTe Jun 2016 #145
As always, thank you, Skinner. DinahMoeHum Jun 2016 #9
Sounds good. MineralMan Jun 2016 #10
I just agreed to our new TOS! sheshe2 Jun 2016 #11
so basically tronc MisterP Jun 2016 #12
Does anything relating to the election have to go in GD:2016? Nye Bevan Jun 2016 #13
Yes. Skinner Jun 2016 #32
Thanks! mcar Jun 2016 #14
Eyes on the prize! tekriter Jun 2016 #15
Thanks, Skinner. greatauntoftriplets Jun 2016 #16
Thanks. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #19
Lincoln Chafee 2016! rug Jun 2016 #20
What's he running for? The GD2016 forum is for all elections, including downtix. nt MADem Jun 2016 #54
Office of the Chief of Protocol rug Jun 2016 #60
Thanks Skinner! Can you post to the rules whenever someone serves on a jury? femmedem Jun 2016 #21
When you serve on a jury you will be presented with the relevant rule. (nt) Skinner Jun 2016 #33
Perfect! Thanks! femmedem Jun 2016 #73
FOUND A BUG ... NurseJackie Jun 2016 #22
Thank you, Skinner, and all BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #24
Question: what do we do about previous threads (still active) from GDP that violate the new rules? auntpurl Jun 2016 #25
For now we are just letting them die on their own. Skinner Jun 2016 #34
Cool, thanks. nt auntpurl Jun 2016 #36
Clinton email issue and "criticizing Hillary Clinton because you want to help her succeed" yodermon Jun 2016 #26
We are going to enforce our rules. Skinner Jun 2016 #35
Skinner lancer78 Jun 2016 #86
Thank you , Skinner, you have clean rules which will be easy to follow. Thinkingabout Jun 2016 #28
I have a question, a serious question: stopbush Jun 2016 #29
We are going to enforce our rules. Skinner Jun 2016 #30
Rules question with regards to the primaries? Amimnoch Jun 2016 #38
I think General Discussion: 2016 (nt) Skinner Jun 2016 #39
Post removed Post removed Jun 2016 #40
Everything else aside, 63splitwindow Jun 2016 #42
Let's make Clinton, our next president and Sanders, the next Chair of the Senate Banking Committee! RAFisher Jun 2016 #43
If he was 20 years younger I would say nominate him to SCOTUS but banking chair? No. cstanleytech Jun 2016 #59
He is not qualified to serve on SCOTUS. No law degree, not a member of the bar, no legal experience. JonLeibowitz Jun 2016 #65
Not a hurdle. cstanleytech Jun 2016 #68
It has been a long while since a SCOTUS justice was not a member of the bar Gothmog Jun 2016 #126
True but that doesnt mean it cant happen and if Bernie was 20 years younger he might make a good cstanleytech Jun 2016 #128
Secretary of Treasury The Green Manalishi Jun 2016 #148
Assuming he doesnt have to be a lawyer to lead it what about the DoJ? cstanleytech Jun 2016 #150
I'd sure be happy, but he really has the expertise to hit Wall Street. The Green Manalishi Jun 2016 #154
Ya but as the head of the DoJ he might be more willing to pursue criminal cases against Wall Street cstanleytech Jun 2016 #155
I've been suggesting Secretary of the treasury. Amimnoch Jun 2016 #62
Thank you, Skinner! leftofcool Jun 2016 #45
I take it that you are not going to reset the hidden posts that happened prior the new TOS? William769 Jun 2016 #46
We are going to reset it to zero. Skinner Jun 2016 #55
Thank you for that explanation. William769 Jun 2016 #58
When will they be reset to zero? Nt Logical Jun 2016 #142
Since the "term of service" requiare a "signature" why was this not on top when I logged in question everything Jun 2016 #47
Because we forgot to broadcast it Skinner Jun 2016 #48
Must you Question Everything? lpbk2713 Jun 2016 #52
Blocked people stay blocked. nt MADem Jun 2016 #57
Seems reasonable to me NWCorona Jun 2016 #50
Gladly! R&K nt longship Jun 2016 #51
Thanks Skinner, Elad and EarlG. cwydro Jun 2016 #53
Thank you! yardwork Jun 2016 #56
I agree with the changes, but need to ask if the most aggressive/extreme gun advocates get a pass hlthe2b Jun 2016 #61
So essentially, JonLeibowitz Jun 2016 #70
Thank you for displaying so explicitly the level/tone/tenor of discourse we can expect. hlthe2b Jun 2016 #74
You are asking for the TOS to not apply to a group you despise... JonLeibowitz Jun 2016 #79
I asked Skinner to clarify approach during highly emotionally charged events. hlthe2b Jun 2016 #80
Yes, and to be clear we're allowed to oppose legislation brought forward by Dems, per the TOS. JonLeibowitz Jun 2016 #82
nor ascribe false motivations and statements to them... hlthe2b Jun 2016 #88
mwah! renate Jun 2016 #63
At long last! Thanks. nt Native Jun 2016 #64
Hallelujah! Hekate Jun 2016 #66
I read that. Keep the Earth round. L. Coyote Jun 2016 #67
Oh crap. I just alerted on something completely in error. Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #69
Thanks Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #71
Great new beginning! UtahLib Jun 2016 #72
Is it possible to get the "Democrats" groups back on the latest page? Renew Deal Jun 2016 #75
K & R and many thanks! femmocrat Jun 2016 #76
Removed posts will be removed and not hidden? obamanut2012 Jun 2016 #78
That is correct. (nt) Skinner Jun 2016 #81
K&R BumRushDaShow Jun 2016 #84
Thank you to the Administrators PJMcK Jun 2016 #85
I'm more than happy to follow the above rules BainsBane Jun 2016 #87
Welcome to General Election Season 2016 Her Sister Jun 2016 #89
Can i just say one word? nolabels Jun 2016 #92
Hear! Hear! alain2112 Jun 2016 #93
Given that anything I say Kelvin Mace Jun 2016 #94
First jury and I already see a major problem... Behind the Aegis Jun 2016 #95
Ummm. . . . missingthebigdog Jun 2016 #100
That wasn't supposed to go to a jury. Skinner Jun 2016 #101
Thanks for asking that question. UtahLib Jun 2016 #112
I suspect most of us are happy to move forward n/t left-of-center2012 Jun 2016 #96
"It's a new day, it's a new dawn..." It's a new DU. Surya Gayatri Jun 2016 #97
Thanks MFM008 Jun 2016 #98
Awesome. missingthebigdog Jun 2016 #99
Humbug laserhaas Jun 2016 #103
Thanks Skinner Loki Jun 2016 #105
doumo arigatou gozaimashita! yuiyoshida Jun 2016 #106
Hallelujah. Stinky The Clown Jun 2016 #107
Serious question: Is the new GD2016 the old GDPrimaries? Pathwalker Jun 2016 #108
Go to the forum... Princess Turandot Jun 2016 #114
Thank you Skinner Coolest Ranger Jun 2016 #109
ThankyouThankyouThankyou! NastyRiffraff Jun 2016 #111
Just did my first jury. Just one minor complaint/suggestion. Stinky The Clown Jun 2016 #113
YES! auntpurl Jun 2016 #115
Oh, the name of the poster in question awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #137
It's great to see all this enacted. One unfortunate change, however. Chemisse Jun 2016 #117
Thanks! Time to empty my ignore list! (nt) Jon Ace Jun 2016 #118
will I still be able to kick some ass Skittles Jun 2016 #119
Who is going to stop you? awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #138
WOOT! Skittles Jun 2016 #139
Just trying to avoid an ass kicking awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #140
you'll have to catch me first KMOD Jun 2016 #158
If these rules are followed DonCoquixote Jun 2016 #120
I got selected PasadenaTrudy Jun 2016 #122
Yay! Mike Nelson Jun 2016 #123
Thanks Skinner, I like the sound of the changes. MH1 Jun 2016 #124
TL:DR progressoid Jun 2016 #127
Thanks Skinner! You're fucking awesome! truebrit71 Jun 2016 #129
OK - Now, let's get some Democrats elected! liberal N proud Jun 2016 #130
Thank you! DemonGoddess Jun 2016 #131
Not sure about the jury system question everything Jun 2016 #132
I strongly miss notification of the results of my jury service. philly_bob Jun 2016 #153
Thank you awoke_in_2003 Jun 2016 #133
Where will all the rules be posted for reference in the future? Curmudgeoness Jun 2016 #136
They're all on the Terms of Service page. Skinner Jun 2016 #147
Bravo! Any minor concerns I had have been addressed. marble falls Jun 2016 #141
We got through the 2004 and 2008 primary cycles battered, bloodied, but ok in the end bluestateguy Jun 2016 #143
Thank you, Skinner, for this. mikehiggins Jun 2016 #144
So happy to be a part of DU and look forward to a YUGE whoopass in November!! secondwind Jun 2016 #146
Thanks you. Well Done! The Green Manalishi Jun 2016 #149
Thanks Skinner steve2470 Jun 2016 #151
Thanks, Skinner and all the admins ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jun 2016 #152
ie GE doesn't start till after the convention PatrynXX Jun 2016 #156
I like the new Jury system liberal N proud Jun 2016 #157
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