Conservatives, what would you consider a "legitimate" questioning of your president?

Question

An earlier question of mine focused on the emotional outbursts commonly attributed to Liberals as opposed to actual factual discourse regarding Bush. I too am tired of "hating a person" being a sufficient reason to vote against someone, etc.

However, on the Conservative side I also see a lot of "love it or leave it" when legitimate questions are raised. While I do not claim in any way that Bush is not my president (he is), why are you reluctant for ANY questions about him?

Where is the line? What constitutes a "legitimate" question or disagreement? What kind of Liberal or Democratic questioning would you consider "acceptable", if "misguided" in your oppinion?

Questioning the presidency is one thing, and should be castigated... questioning a specific president should be allowed? Why isn't it?

To clarify, it is exactly the "you're unpatriotic" and "if you don't like the president/nation/whatever then leave" that I am trying to get past... what questions truely deserve that response versus what questions SHOULD be addressed and answered.

Sure, we may reach a point where the real answer is "you believe what you believe and I believe what I believe" but why do so few, both here and in the media (in terms of who gets coverage and is quoted), seem to resort to name calling first, as opposed to legitimate questions?

Is it because they won't get answers? Or is it because it makes for better publicity?

Answer 1

The reason most people who are conservative like me do not even entertain questions is because 95% of the questions we get are as you refered to "bush bashing" Dont get wrong i dont agree with everything he does but he is our president so i support him until he does something that is over the line which he hasn't. If you have any questions you are welcome to shoot me an email. But for conservatives the time to question a specific president is the day after he hands over office. When your one intelligent man amoung millions of whiney little girls you can't expect to be able to yell loud enough to be taken seriously amid the clamor. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Cpl Rush
US Army Combat Medic

Answer 2

What do you mean it isn't allowed? Have you ever watched a press conference? Have you ever read a newspaper? People question the President on a daily basis. Of course it is allowed. That is one of the fundamental truths that make this country great. How many people do you think asked Saddam questions when he was in power? Keep asking. It is a sign of our freedom. More importantly it is a part of what keeps us free. Policy questions should always be fair game. We waste far too much time in this country with labels like conservative and liberal. To me what a person does or does not do in office is FAR more important than what they say. They are ALL good communicators. If they weren't they wouldn't be where they are. What cracks me up is so many people who hate Bush fail to see that he is a brilliant communicator. Do I mean he is polished and fluid? NO! What I mean is whether he means what he says or not, he certainly connects with his core audience and they believe that HE believes what he is saying. That my friend is a very powerful skill for a politician to have. In the end it was more important to have than John Kerry's brilliant debate presence. Too many times today we concentrate on how polished a speaker is as being a sign of their effectiveness as a speaker. The ability to seem sincere and not above your audience is the sign of a real master communicator. I know some will read this and think I am mad for calling Bush a master communicator. Afterall he can't even get through a speech without mutilating the English language, but the proof is in the pudding and he is President twice. Obviously a lot of people hear him and connect. It doesn't do any of us any good to call him stupid. Perhaps the Democrats need a leader who seems simple and can connect with the masses. So far they have not been doing too well with the candidates who all seem to have an aire of aristocracy. Just an observation. I like your question. You seem to be using your brain. When a person or a party begins to sound shrill, no one wants to listen. Your type of calm communication is EXACTLY what the Democratic party needs more of. Good luck. Any political party being improved would improve all of us.

Answer 3

Why can't we question our current president? When said party/president's main theme or "strong point" is security/tough on terror and people question his methods it is very easy for said parties war machine to yell "You are being unpatriotic." which often ends up coming across more like "You are un American" or "You must hate America" just because someone has a difference of opinion.

I classify myself as a political moderate (not Independant). I do view many things in what some would call a "Conservative" fashion, but I can tell you now there are many tendencies within me to favor a democratic candidate. Even so I try to be fair, but what I see as a large number of "bad" Republicans just makes it hard. My view is that if the way some politicians acted were translated into the business world many would be in prison.

OK, so I went from answering your question directly more into some of how I see that things go into the state they are today...

Answer 4

Of course a president can be questioned. Most of the questions I see getting the "love it or leave it" type response are leading questions or accusations masquerading as questions. Legitimate questions are the ones designed to elicit facts.

Answer 5

I doubt you will get many good answers, just the normal babbling intelligently asked questions get. If an answer is good, contact that person and tell them. Then tell them to answer my questions as well.

Answer 6

It is Allowed we have Impeached 2 presidents, never removing one from office, however.

I lean towards the Republican side, but I vote Independently, that just comes from Living in a Mixed states ( I am from Illinois).

I think that they only way you can question someone in the Political spectrum is to charge them, because in government there is no Gray, unless it is behind closed doors.

Answer 7

our country was founded on the idea for the people by the people. they asked Clinton about his personal life.I did not agree with him on a lot of issues but he should have told them yes i had an affair with her now get out.if we can ask Clinton about his personal life why not G.W.B

Answer 8

Conservative believe that NO-ONE can EVER question Bush, everyone else realizes that he has a lot to answer for.

Answer 9

build more nuclear power plants drill for oil ever were

Answer 10

Thanx for the 2 points.

Polotics suck!