Do you consider partisan comparisons to be a legitimate political argument?
I frequently see situations like this:
Q: "Why do conservatives always get caught having affairs?"
A: "Bill Clinton and John Edwards!"
Q: "Why is Obama so bad?"
A: "Bush was the bad one!"
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I think they are legitimate to bring up.....but they are not answers to the question in most instances.
For example......our nation is out of control in spending (and that WAY WAY out of control)...when it is asked of Democrats what they will do to fix it.....they immediately go into Bush spending habits in the last administration. That is not an answer. It is true of course (and in that is legitimate)....Bush spent far more than he should have.....but pointing a finger at that past is not going to fix our current and VERY real problem.....nor does it make current spending by the Obama Administration acceptable at all.
Such "answers" are generally defensive, and offer nothing of value. Whether such is true or not. Far too often their "answers" simply end with that defense, and do not actually answer the question or offer solutions.
Not in all situations, no. I only use them when pointing out hypocrisy in condemning one person for an action that was celebrated/ignored when another person did it.
I'm a liberal, but I think the first example would do that.
The second example, in general terms not so much. When specifics are mentioned, I will call someone out on it. (Example: Q. Why did Obama bail out the bankers? A. The TARP program was created by the Bush administration.)
Not really. Based on the comparisons that you described, they don't necessarily answer the argument being brought up. Sure, they're good to a swing or two, but they can be easily thwarted given enough time.
well, it depends on the subject...
if you're talking about something EVERY POLITICIAN DOES... then yes...
I constantly see Obama getting the "worst president ever" wrap... with a bunch of reasons that are just basic politican things...
oh... he didn't keep his promises... oh... he's not transparent...
while technically they are valid criticisms... they are not enough to merit the "worst president ever" label...
No it is like watching a puppy bark at its reflection in a puddle of water.
Welcome to politics.
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