does a politician have any rights when dealing with verbal abuse from constituents?

Answer 1

Very few.

While Defamation rules still apply, the politician is a public figure. That means they have to prove the statement is objectively false (not mere opinion or hyperbole) and they have to prove the other person knew the statement was false when it was made.

Then, there's general harrassment rules, but again that's a hard threshold to prove.

Answer 2

A politician has the same rights as anyone else when dealing with verbal abuse.

Of course, the politician needs to be careful in exercising those rights. It's not a good idea for a politician who wants to be elected to come off looking mean or abusive to the public.

Answer 3

Certainly you have rights, but you chose to be a politician and hence, need to handle the situation as such. A good way to deal with a verbally abusive person is to graciously reply, "Honestly, I really do not know how to respond to what you are saying." Then focus on the next person. If you are in a public forum and someone is acting out, the audience in most cases will take care of it...unless you are presenting extremist views, in that case, you are setting yourself up to be fodder.

Answer 4

I'd like to see some lawsuits come out of the garbage heaped on some of our civil servants. Maybe some of the conspiracy theorists would be held accountable. In fact accountability shouldn't only be for elected officials.

Answer 5

They have the same rights as any citizen of this country.They will always face verbal abuse so most pay it no mind.

Answer 6

ALMOST the same as anyone else. Being a public figure, he is held to a higher standard of course.

Answer 7

Under homeland Security and New World Order, probably. Soon we will be say Heil and Das Fuerer.

Answer 8

Freedom of speech!
No matter what, they have the 1st ammendment backing them up!

Answer 9

Very much

Answer 10

NO