Political Personal attacks (Ad Hominem)

Logic - Ad Hominem

Some political ad hominem from the 2016 election 

NOTE- these were the easiest to find.  There were personal attacks (aka “Ad Hominem” from pretty much all sides).

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Trump: "Ted Cruz is a total hypocrite and, until recently, a Canadian citizen who may not even have a legal right to run for president.".  (attacking him on citizenship and his ethical values)

Cruz: "I think in terms of a commander in chief, we ought to have someone who isn't springing out of bed to tweet in a frantic response to the latest polls. I think the American people are looking for a commander in chief who is stable and steady and a calm hand to keep this country safe."

(attacking Trump on using Twitter day and night)

Trump: "He'll say whatever he wants to say. I actually think he's a very unstable person. I really believe that. I think he's a very unstable person. But I've never had somebody take something that you believe in and just say the exact opposite."

(Attacking Cruz “very unstable person”)

Trump: "The State of Iowa should disqualify Ted Cruz from the most recent election on the basis that he cheated- a total fraud!"

(Attacking Cruz as a cheat and a fraud)

Trump: "This guy Ted Cruz is the single biggest liar I have ever dealt with in my life. I mean it. ... He will lie about anything. I've met much tougher people than Ted Cruz. He's like a baby. ... He's like a little baby. Soft, weak, little baby by comparison. But for lying, he's the best I've ever seen. ... A guy like Ted Cruz, he has no clue. He never employed anybody. He's a nasty, nasty guy."

(Multiple attacks - single biggest liar; a soft, weak, little baby, no clue)

Cruz: "Donald can't defend his own record. Whenever you point out what he's actually said, he just screams, 'liar.' He insults you. He attacks you. He makes it personal, and he gets very rattled. He doesn't like anyone pointing to his actual, substantive record. And I think that's a sign of weakness."

(attacking Trump because of ad hominem attacks) 

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And, eventually, when Trump won the Republican nomination and election, 

These were some of the nasty things Trump and Ted Cruz said about each other before the president decided he was 'Beautiful Ted'

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The attacks were not based on political positions - but as personal attacks - lying, cheating, etc.

THE REALITY IS THAT BOTH SIDES DO IT. (but these were the easiest to find)

"She is a totally unhinged person. She's unbalanced. And all you have to do is watch her, see , read about her," Trump said during a campaign rally in Windham, New Hampshire, Saturday evening - talking about Hilary Clinton. "She will cause - if she wins, which hopefully she won't - the destruction of our country from within."

The GOP presidential nominee called Clinton unstable and incompetent several times throughout the rally. At one point, he also called her "Hillary Rotten Clinton," a play on her maiden name, Rodham.

Republican Donald Trump at one point said that his rival Hillary Clinton had “hate in her heart,” and showed it by saying that half of his supporters were in the “basket of deplorables.”

Clinton in turn accused Trump of living in an “alternate reality” and of peddling what she called the “racist lie” that President Obama was not born in the United States.

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My friends.  By my Judeo-Christian beliefs, I do pray for President Trump and those in authority.

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”  1 Timothy 2:1-2

I subscribe to the philosophy “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”, “If you can be anything - be nice”.  “I can only love God as much as the person I love the least” (that is, I am NOT allowed to hate).

This is one of the reasons I don’t have television.  The political programs join in through mud - even the regular news outlets quote the attacks (I’m guessing they engender more interest than one candidate saying “My opponent is a real nice person - but we do differ in our views on many issues like <name issues>.”  I hope our democracy is not now based on images rather than issues and what is good for the American people.

But, please understand, that I am not perfect (not even close - I even spell that word as “perfekt”!!)  I am trying to work on Micah 6:8 “What does God require of you of man, but, to love justice, show mercy and walk humbly with God.”  (And, I’m not there yet - but I’m trying!!!)

Hugs - LOVE WINS!!!

Karen