Why are there so many ad hominem arguments in the Politics section?

Question

It makes it difficult to accept anyone's opinions when everyone's just attacking the candidates, saying things that are totally outlandish (If elected, will Obama require all women to wear burkas? Will McCain make beer the national drink if elected?)

Don't you think that we should stick to the facts, even if some of those facts do not show our candidate in the best light. After all, what are we really voting for?

Answer 1

Palin is under the scrutiny of an investigation by the Republican-controlled legislature into the possibility that she ordered the dismissal of Alaska's public safety commissioner because he would not fire her former brother-in-law as a state trooper.

That's call abuse of power!

In this day and age where unprotected s*x could lead to more than just pregnancies, why didn't Palin teach their children the importance of protection, if not abstinence?

There's Aids, all kinds of STDs.

I do not think Palin is an informed mother, let alone an informed V.P. candidate.

Well I have to agree with you about her lack of care about consequences.

Drilling for Oil in Alaska.

Not teaching her children safe s*x.

Abusing her power to get her relative fired.

Her character is dubious and suspect.

But that's what the GOP is all about, except she's young and inexperience.

She didn't know enough to cover her tracks well.

Answer 2

It's unfortunate, but partisan vitriol and distortion is the preferred method by which people pretend to discuss politics.  I point to right-wing talk radio as being the initial cause of this in America, but unfortunately the people on the left side of the political spectrum are now often just as guilty in attacking character and the person instead of engaging in a battle of ideas.  

Answer 3

I would love it if people referred to source when making ridiculous comments, and no not some bloggers opinion actual sources.

Answer 4

Well, who other than homines would we attack?

Answer 5

Can't we have a little fun?

Answer 6

Well we could, but honestly, that wouldn't be nearly as much fun.

Answer 7

Well said indeed.

Answer 8

Because those people who make those arguments have no facts or any other substance.

Answer 9

I do not know why people do this but it does detract from the issues.  It would be great if we looked at the man and not at the frivolous meanderings of fools. Both men have a fairly well documented public life. The one that most closely represents himself as to what his record supports would seem to be the better choice. For example: Barack Obama claims that he voted against the war in 2002. Well, we invaded in 2003 and he was not a member of the Senate at the time so exactly where did this vote take place?

Answer 10

The people who execute those attacks can't do anything else.

All they care about is their opinion traveling at the speed of light for free.

'Just because your voice is heard around the world now does not mean it's any wiser than when it only reached the end of the bar'

Edward R Murrow

Answer 11

because people like to hate something they dont understand and when election time comes they feel a sense of belonging.

Answer 12

A lot of people in this country are too LAZY to seek out and find information on facts.  The media knows we're too immature to listen to facts, hence info-tainment being so popular.

So we get the kind of drivel you talk about.  I get upset with individuals in government.  Their party is the last thing I could ever care about.

Magma, what if the condom broke?  Maybe they were using protection...  You don't know so stop talking about it.

Answer 13

I'd love to but there are a lot of people in YA Politics who feel if they can't win on the issues, attack and besmirch others character instead. I don't look for things to change

Answer 14

This is the way we like it. Facts are boring. Witless rhetoric and party-line diatribe is much more entertaining. I think we would ALL agree on that.

Answer 15

Those who use ad hominem arguments don't know facts, hence the ad hominems.

Answer 16

sometimes most of the serious questions never show up on the boards

but silly questions show up almost instantly

probably because all successful media giants, even yahoo wants to keep it a close election race because they get more attention that way. so if you support mccain when obama is lower in the polls, they won't let a serious question come up that might bring obama's poll numbers down. and same with it being the other way around like when mccain is lower in the polls. close races draw in larger crowds that will potentially see the advertisements which pay those media giants' salaries. it's all about business.