This post grew from a comment I started to write on a post that accused Barack Obama of not "fighting" for Democratic values the way John Edwards has. Pro-Edwards bloggers are certainly entitled to their views, but I do not know that John Edwards has been dramatically tougher than any of the other Democratic candidates, let alone Barack Obama. If you prefer your candidate to be more pugnacious, well that's your choice.
I'm not writing to support Barack Obama or attack John Edwards. Rather, I am writing to remind all the supporters of all the Democratic candidates that there will be only one Democratic presidential candidate, and those people who identify themselves as Democrats have an obligation to behave responsibly during the caucus and primary season.
All of the Democratic candidates for president are talented individuals. Most--though not all--would make fine presidents. Spin and puffery notwithstanding, the policy differences between most of the Democratic candidates are minor, and in some cases, non-existent. At the same time, Democrats are separated by a vast gulf from the Republican candidates, who compete amongst themselves to see who can advocate more strongly for torture (excepting McCain) and war with Iran.
There is a tendency for some people to get too caught up in the horse race. Some folks get involved to the extent of creating their own little cults of personality around their candidate of choice. That kind of behavior is unhealthy, because it leads them to do things they would normally condemn, but they feel are justified by the need to win. Push polls, false attacks, dog whistle racism, smears . . . the end does not justify the means. No matter how great your candidate is, you must resist the temptation to cross the line.
At the end of the day there will be only one Democratic candidate. It is unproductive to make extreme arguments. It is wrong to threaten to not participate in the process further if your candidate is not chosen.
Such behavior disrespects the Democratic process, in every sense of the word. The Democratic candidate will be the product of that process and will have made it through an intensive screening process lasting more than a year, involving several debates, endless public appearances and speeches, and caucuses and primaries. In the end, the winner will have earned the nomination and will deserve our support.
I don't expect my little missive to be heeded by many at this site. I fully anticipate a long line of GBCW posts as the inevitable defeats pile up and candidates drop out of the process. But perhaps there are a few who will read this and reconsider over-the-top statements or behavior. If I affect even one person it will be worth it.