Replies

Sabertooth (125): Well, they wouldn't be so damaging if you would think more like they do, or, failing that, shut up and vote.

FairOpinion (127): I see -- you think that those who criticize Presient Bush should be allowed to shout from the rooftops, but those who support him should shut up?

I don't see where you get that from what I've posted here, or anywhere else. I think everyone should be able to make their case on this or that issue, to the better understanding of all. The efforts I do see to stifle debate come more frequently, by far, from the "never criticize the President crowd," than do any similar efforts from any other quarter.
That certainly doesn't mean that all supporters of President Bush (and I include in that anyone who intends to vote for him, and I am in that number) want to stifle debate.
Case in point:

rintense (182):I can only go by what Saber has posted, but he has both praised and criticized the President- most of the time shouting from rooftops (me too, and lots of other Bush supporters too).

What many fail to understand is that you CAN disagree with the President on various issues, sometimes quite passionately, but you can also still support him, especially when you realize the soul of our country is at stake.

Exactly right.
Given the amount of lurking done on FR by folks like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, and a slew of others, including politicians, our forum is only made more relevant when we are willing to confront difficult truths about our party, our candidates, and our President.
Additionally, FR is a hothouse indicator of the mood of the most politically interested party rank and file. Negative feedback is good, because it gives an opportunity for correction.
If we can agree that it would be ill-advised for the President to be surrounded by yes-men, then isn't it also ill-advised for the most important conservative internet news discussion site to become a yes-forum?

"Given the amount of lurking done on FR by folks like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, and a slew of others, including politicians, our forum is only made more relevant when we are willing to confront difficult truths about our party, our candidates, and our President.

Additionally, FR is a hothouse indicator of the mood of the most politically interested party rank and file. Negative feedback is good, because it gives an opportunity for correction."

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Note the latest FR poll: 83% plan to vote for Bush.

Yet, judging from the very vocal, loud, some rather vicious minority, reading FR gives a false impression, that at least half or more of "conservatives" are upset enough with Bush, that they plan to not support him.

Also, precisely, because of the points you made, that many influential people read FR, your comment that Bush supporters, and defenders should just "shut up and vote", but not express our support, or correct the misconceptions, some attempt to present as facts, while encouraging and praising those who attack Bush, because they are merely "disagreeing passionately" shows that you are the one, who wants to make FR one sided: make it a site with its primary mission of criticizing Bush. We already have such a site: it's called DU.