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Which campaign has done more to divide the country?

jasonwjasonw Posts: 424
edited October 2008 in A Moving Train
Specifics please
Post edited by Unknown User on
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  • MayDay10MayDay10 Posts: 11,793
    I am biased, but I have to say the McCain campaign. The whole thing is based on the negative. The main negative spin the Obama campaign takes is linking McCain to Bush.

    Those robocalls really rub me the wrong way. In short, they basically directly link Obama to bombing the Pentagon. People who receive these calls and believe or want to believe them probably often times feel desparately violent towards Obama.
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    What the hell does divide the country even mean? I know the media always talks about this, but they never really get into it. How, exactly does a candidate divide us? I can see how a candidate, would divide himself from his opposition,.... but personally I don't think candidates really divide the country at all.... ever. The country is always divided.... acting as though a candidate can make things more divided doesn't relaly make sense.
  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    There's really no argument here. The Republicans have been 100% negative since the convention.
    the Minions
  • jasonwjasonw Posts: 424
    saveuplife wrote:
    What the hell does divide the country even mean? I know the media always talks about this, but they never really get into it. How, exactly does a candidate divide us? I can see how a candidate, would divide himself from his opposition,.... but personally I don't think candidates really divide the country at all.... ever. The country is always divided.... acting as though a candidate can make things more divided doesn't relaly make sense.

    I guess I mean "divided" as in you aren't just disappointed that your candidate lost, you are furious and hate the other candidate.

    "Divided" by making the other party into villians, not just a different part of America
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    campaigns don't divide people ... ignorance does
  • whitepantswhitepants Posts: 727
    polaris wrote:
    campaigns don't divide people ... ignorance does


    Absolutely. And specifically, ignorance from both sides!
    ~*~Me and Hippiemom dranketh the red wine in Cleveland 2003~*~

    First PJ Show: March 20, 1994 | Ann Arbor | Crisler Arena
  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    saveuplife wrote:
    What the hell does divide the country even mean? I know the media always talks about this, but they never really get into it. How, exactly does a candidate divide us? I can see how a candidate, would divide himself from his opposition,.... but personally I don't think candidates really divide the country at all.... ever. The country is always divided.... acting as though a candidate can make things more divided doesn't relaly make sense.
    no no no saveup don't be naive...

    I'm an Obama supporter in a predominately conservative region. I don't know where to start with how this election has polarized even some of my best aquaintences and family members.

    I have coffee and breakfast every morning with people I've know for years.
    A few months back none of them seriously thought Obama had a chance to win and they used to joke around with me and be cordial.

    Now, oh brother, .....now that the polls are coming back favoring Obama, they act real funny around me, like I'm some sort of outsider all of a sudden. Some even set at another table.
    Yeah it's real!!!
    I'll be glad when it's over.
    the Minions
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,210
    Another question could be does the fact that Obama being black brings out more of the RACE issue in America?

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    g under p wrote:
    Another question could be does the fact that Obama being black brings out more of the RACE issue in America?

    Peace

    Sadly from my experiences, yes. Though a lot of people will deny it.

    I can't bear to repeat some of what I've heard coming from people I thought better of.
    I have found myself walking away holding my tongue because I'm so outspoken it starting to take it's toll.
    the Minions
  • jasonwjasonw Posts: 424
    polaris wrote:
    campaigns don't divide people ... ignorance does


    Ok which campaign is playing on the ignorance of americans more? is that better?
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 30,664
    jasonw wrote:
    Ok which campaign is playing on the ignorance of americans more? is that better?

    McCain no doubt and really it was palin who started all the negative bive ..and who ever doesn't believe this election will divide the country you have to get your heads out of your asses ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • WildsWilds Posts: 4,329
    g under p wrote:
    Another question could be does the fact that Obama being black brings out more of the RACE issue in America?

    Peace

    Yeah absolutely, but I think overall it will be one step back two steps forward.
  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    What I am wondering is this. If Obama wins, god willing, will the hard core ignoramuses out there who are afraid of Obama because he is a Muslim or because he is black -- will they at some point realize that he is not trying to destroy America? I mean let's say that he brings hope and novel ideas and we start to get optimistic again about the future, like we are capable of... Will the racism subside?

    I like to think yes, but I am afraid that what may happen is no matter what, half of this country will stop at nothing to get him out.
    San Diego 10/25/00, Mountain View 6/1/03, Santa Barbara 10/28/03, Northwest School 3/18/05, San Diego 7/7/06, Los Angeles 7/9/06, 7/10/06, Honolulu (U2) 12/9/06, Santa Barbara (EV) 4/10/08, Los Angeles (EV) 4/12/08, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield 6/28/08, VH1 Rock Honors The Who 7/12/08, Seattle 9/21/09, Universal City 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, San Diego 10/9/09, Los Angeles (EV) 7/8/11, Santa Barbara (EV) 7/9/11, Chicago 7/19/13, San Diego 11/21/13, Los Angeles 11/23/13, 11/24/13, Oakland 11/26/13, Chicago 8/22/16, Missoula 8/13/18, Boston 9/2/18, Los Angeles 2/25/22 (EV), San Diego 5/3/22, Los Angeles 5/6/22, 5/7/22, Imola 6/25/22, Los Angeles 5/21/24, [London 6/29/24], [Boston 9/15/24]
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,210
    Wilds wrote:
    Yeah absolutely, but I think overall it will be one step back two steps forward.

    In what way?

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 30,664
    meistereder wrote:
    What I am wondering is this. If Obama wins, god willing, will the hard core ignoramuses out there who are afraid of Obama because he is a Muslim or because he is black -- will they at some point realize that he is not trying to destroy America? I mean let's say that he brings hope and novel ideas and we start to get optimistic again about the future, like we are capable of... Will the racism subside?

    I like to think yes, but I am afraid that what may happen is no matter what, half of this country will stop at nothing to get him out.


    he is a Christian not a muslim and he is 1/2 white but yeah the rednecks will be out in droves chantin that the blacks are taking over :eek: ..
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    jasonw wrote:
    Ok which campaign is playing on the ignorance of americans more? is that better?

    that's easy - republican campaign ... that's a no-brainer ...
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,210
    meistereder wrote:
    What I am wondering is this. If Obama wins, god willing, will the hard core ignoramuses out there who are afraid of Obama because he is a Muslim or because he is black -- will they at some point realize that he is not trying to destroy America? I mean let's say that he brings hope and novel ideas and we start to get optimistic again about the future, like we are capable of... Will the racism subside?

    I like to think yes, but I am afraid that what may happen is no matter what, half of this country will stop at nothing to get him out.

    I totally agree, they'll want to know if he uses soap when he takes a shower. EVERYTHING will checked and re-checked with him in office.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    josevolution wrote:
    he is a Christian not a muslim and he is 1/2 white but yeah the rednecks will be out in droves chantin that the blacks are taking over :eek: ..


    Hence my labeling them ignoramuses. I know these things, for the record. :)
    San Diego 10/25/00, Mountain View 6/1/03, Santa Barbara 10/28/03, Northwest School 3/18/05, San Diego 7/7/06, Los Angeles 7/9/06, 7/10/06, Honolulu (U2) 12/9/06, Santa Barbara (EV) 4/10/08, Los Angeles (EV) 4/12/08, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield 6/28/08, VH1 Rock Honors The Who 7/12/08, Seattle 9/21/09, Universal City 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, San Diego 10/9/09, Los Angeles (EV) 7/8/11, Santa Barbara (EV) 7/9/11, Chicago 7/19/13, San Diego 11/21/13, Los Angeles 11/23/13, 11/24/13, Oakland 11/26/13, Chicago 8/22/16, Missoula 8/13/18, Boston 9/2/18, Los Angeles 2/25/22 (EV), San Diego 5/3/22, Los Angeles 5/6/22, 5/7/22, Imola 6/25/22, Los Angeles 5/21/24, [London 6/29/24], [Boston 9/15/24]
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    jasonw wrote:
    I guess I mean "divided" as in you aren't just disappointed that your candidate lost, you are furious and hate the other candidate.

    "Divided" by making the other party into villians, not just a different part of America


    Politics is about motivating your base. In a sense, what you are describing (which is exactly the way I interpret the media to describe it, if they were ever asked) is doing just that. A politician CAN NOT make someone hate someone else. Only that specific person can decide to hate someone. That's my point, the country is always divided around 50/50. The politicians certainly do a good job of motivating their base. But, that's all they do.

    We ARE a divided country all the time and always have been. The term divided is not the right term. You can't get more divided than 50/50.

    I'm sorry the term just really bothers me because it's used so often and it's obviously not used correctly.
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 30,664
    meistereder wrote:
    Hence my labeling them ignoramuses. I know these things, for the record. :)

    sorry for assuming you didn't but all of the red states don't :eek: like you said the ignoramuses believe that he is a terrorist ...
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,210
    That's funny I can clearly remember when Clinton was first elected, a citizen in Georgia being interviewed said..."I don't like Clinton he's too much for the Blacks". Many today maybe will think the same way too.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • meisteredermeistereder Posts: 1,577
    josevolution wrote:
    sorry for assuming you didn't but all of the red states don't :eek: like you said the ignoramuses believe that he is a terrorist ...


    No worries. I am often surprised by what people still don't know about Obama.
    San Diego 10/25/00, Mountain View 6/1/03, Santa Barbara 10/28/03, Northwest School 3/18/05, San Diego 7/7/06, Los Angeles 7/9/06, 7/10/06, Honolulu (U2) 12/9/06, Santa Barbara (EV) 4/10/08, Los Angeles (EV) 4/12/08, Hartford 6/27/08, Mansfield 6/28/08, VH1 Rock Honors The Who 7/12/08, Seattle 9/21/09, Universal City 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, San Diego 10/9/09, Los Angeles (EV) 7/8/11, Santa Barbara (EV) 7/9/11, Chicago 7/19/13, San Diego 11/21/13, Los Angeles 11/23/13, 11/24/13, Oakland 11/26/13, Chicago 8/22/16, Missoula 8/13/18, Boston 9/2/18, Los Angeles 2/25/22 (EV), San Diego 5/3/22, Los Angeles 5/6/22, 5/7/22, Imola 6/25/22, Los Angeles 5/21/24, [London 6/29/24], [Boston 9/15/24]
  • OpenOpen Posts: 792
    saveuplife wrote:
    Politics is about motivating your base. In a sense, what you are describing (which is exactly the way I interpret the media to describe it, if they were ever asked) is doing just that. A politician CAN NOT make someone hate someone else. Only that specific person can decide to hate someone. That's my point, the country is always divided around 50/50. The politicians certainly do a good job of motivating their base. But, that's all they do.

    We ARE a divided country all the time and always have been. The term divided is not the right term. You can't get more divided than 50/50.

    I'm sorry the term just really bothers me because it's used so often and it's obviously not used correctly.

    We are divided and this thread is basically asking which side is playing on it more. With comments like "real america", i'd say the mccain campaign is focusing on it more.
  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    saveuplife wrote:
    Politics is about motivating your base. In a sense, what you are describing (which is exactly the way I interpret the media to describe it, if they were ever asked) is doing just that. A politician CAN NOT make someone hate someone else. Only that specific person can decide to hate someone. That's my point, the country is always divided around 50/50. The politicians certainly do a good job of motivating their base. But, that's all they do.

    We ARE a divided country all the time and always have been. The term divided is not the right term. You can't get more divided than 50/50.

    I'm sorry the term just really bothers me because it's used so often and it's obviously not used correctly.
    Didn't politicians divide the country leading up to the civil war?

    Divide or Polarize... Either way it's happening right now. Is it a complete divide? I'd say no, but there are strong emotions coming out that we haven't seen for decades.
    the Minions
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    Open wrote:
    We are divided and this thread is basically asking which side is playing on it more. With comments like "real america", i'd say the mccain campaign is focusing on it more.


    We are always divided. It's alwasy around 50/50. It's a politicians job to motivate people to vote for him/her, so that they'll get 51/49. Saying that it's bad to do motivate doesn't make any sense.... because it's competitive. So, they use words like divided and polarized. I just think they should say "negative".


    Now, if you are saying who's more negative, that's another story. And I think that's a reasonable question. But, the whole divided or polarized thing bothers me. We are divided and polarized on issues and will be regardless if Obama or McCain wins. Every election year people become more motivatedto support their issues of interest.
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    Strangest Tribe wrote:
    Didn't politicians divide the country leading up to the civil war?

    Divide or Polarize... Either way it's happening right now. Is it a complete divide? I'd say no, but there are strong emotions coming out that we haven't seen for decades.


    I guarantee you said that in 2004 and in 2000. The idea that the country is more polarized or divided today is silly and inaccurate.
  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    I don't think we're ever 50/50.
    It's more like 35 left
    And 35 right
    And 30 swaying.
    the Minions
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    Strangest Tribe wrote:
    I don't think we're ever 50/50.
    It's more like 35 left
    And 35 right
    And 30 swaying.


    Even if that's true, then the argument that dividing the country... going from your sides 35 to 40 or 43 is bad.... is crazy. The point is to seal up voters.
  • Strangest TribeStrangest Tribe Posts: 2,502
    saveuplife wrote:
    I guarantee you said that in 2004 and in 2000. The idea that the country is more polarized or divided today is silly and inaccurate.

    No you're completely wrong.

    There wasn't such strong hatred for Kerry or Gore and the real hatred for Bush didn't come forth until the insurgence in Iraq almost 2 years after the 2004 election.

    The right wing is spewing vile hatred this election to the degree we haven't seen since the 60's.
    the Minions
  • saveuplifesaveuplife Posts: 1,173
    Strangest Tribe wrote:
    No you're completely wrong.

    There wasn't such strong hatred for Kerry or Gore and the real hatred for Bush didn't come forth until the insurgence in Iraq almost 2 years after the 2004 election.

    The right wing is spewing vile hatred this election to the degree we haven't seen since the 60's.


    No, I'm not wrong at all. There was a lot more hate last go around for Bush. And there was some serious negativity towards Kerry (swift boat ads).

    This is like a walk in the park.
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