There have been a lot of diaries recently focused on the apparent negative press currently directed at the Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign.
And I know that, generally speaking, most of us currently fall into one of the camps, but again, generally speaking, most of us really prefer either candidate over any of the Republican options anyways.
Still, these seems to be lingering perceptions that one side is so vocally critical of the other, that it will detract from one or both campaigns.
While such perceptions are likely hard to dismiss, what really gets on my nerves, is that, in discussing the issues surrounding either of the candidates', I really hate being dismissed as some blind cheerleader who has no sense of context.
I really find it rather insulting. As someone who works in the sciences, it is a rather natural process to take one group's statements, and to critique and dissect them for any weaknesses. To do so does not necessarily make a person a cheerleader for one side, blind to the weaknesses of their own position and only observant of others'.
So when I or others like myself get accused of it here, suggesting that critiquing the other sides' arguments means that I am some rabid tribalist supporter, intent on burying the other side, to the point where it would even siphon votes away from the eventual nominee, it really bothers me. Yes, I try to keep myself open to criticism and disagreement from others, but where I draw the line is where it gets suggested or implied, without valid evidence, that I do not back up my words or positions with reason and evidence.
Personally, I have a deep respect for the dailykos community. And know that the people here are about as gracious and thoughtful as you are ever going to find on the internet.
But if anyone automatically paints support for one side, or critiques of the other side, as a knee-jerk reaction devoid of substance or evidence, they are disrespectful all the work I and a lot of bloggers here have taken to make sure that our writing reflects the integrity and rigor that we demand of others.
So the perceptions that I continue to see, that these attacks and accusations, where one side is accused of attacking the other side, setting aside the deleterious effects that go along with this sidetrack; I simply do not think it is true. Not here anyways.
I really do not think that our sides are as divisive as we paint ourselves to be. Are we really?
That is why, I wanted to test this hypothesis out. The best way to do that, as best I can manage, is with the poll below.
I want to put to bed this notion that either side has, really, more than an insignificant number of followers who are so divided on the candidates, that they wouldn't also support them in the General election.
So, my hypothesis is for the vast majority of votes to be in the top 4 options.
But, there's only one way to find out.