# Do you think politicians really hate each other? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 22, 2012, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507 "2012-10-22T11:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/21 "2012-10-23T10:48:59Z")
Working in the House of Lords, there is a lot of cross-party camaraderie, and particular bonding over mutual disdain for certain people in the ‘other place’. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/22 "2012-10-23T12:00:29Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Locally, our incumbent Congressman has an actually serious opponent for the first time in his entire tenure of service. I have it on good authority that the guys were friendly before their debate. . . now, according to the challenger, “Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be speaking any time soon.” > > And it makes sense. It’s kind of hard to listen to someone call you a liar and a failure for months on end and still maintain some sort of otherwise friendly relationship. These folks don’t just attack each other’s ideas-- they attack each other’s character. But on the other hand Clinton and Bush Senior have remained very [close](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-13/news/32667159_1_barbara-bush-jeb-bush-neil-bush) even though Clinton put him out of a job. ---
**Author:** ![kirk1168](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/45deac/32.png) [@kirk1168](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kirk1168)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/23 "2012-10-23T21:09:51Z")
Apparently Bob Dole and George McGovern were pretty close for a long time. I think this also explains how pols from different sides of the aisle can get along, especially those from the WWII generation. [http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/175246371.html?refer=y](http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/175246371.html?refer=y) ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/24 "2012-10-23T21:35:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > But on the other hand Clinton and Bush Senior have remained very [close](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-07-13/news/32667159_1_barbara-bush-jeb-bush-neil-bush) even though Clinton put him out of a job. I was too young to follow Bush-Clinton, was that a very negative campaign? I would imagine two statesmen who lay out their policies and point out flaws in the other’s can still be amiable off the stage. One offered Plan A, one offered Plan B, the public liked Plan B. Nothing to be defensive or angry about. It’s when it gets into the SOCIALIST COMMIE PINKO REDNECK FATCAT situation that it gets personal. I can’t imagine Obama and Romney having a very friendly offscreen relationship. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/25 "2012-10-24T16:30:51Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > I was too young to follow Bush-Clinton, was that a very negative campaign? > > I would imagine two statesmen who lay out their policies and point out flaws in the other’s can still be amiable off the stage. One offered Plan A, one offered Plan B, the public liked Plan B. Nothing to be defensive or angry about. > > It’s when it gets into the SOCIALIST COMMIE PINKO REDNECK FATCAT situation that it gets personal. I can’t imagine Obama and Romney having a very friendly offscreen relationship. It was very nasty and very personal. Bush was an out of touch plutocrat who didn’t care about people’s suffering and Clinton was a lying philanderer who would embarass the country if elected. The campaign was half right but it was still very nasty and very personal. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/26 "2012-10-24T18:28:54Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Locally, our incumbent Congressman has an actually serious opponent for the first time in his entire tenure of service. I have it on good authority that the guys were friendly before their debate. . . now, according to the challenger, “Yeah, I don’t think we’ll be speaking any time soon.” > > And it makes sense. It’s kind of hard to listen to someone call you a liar and a failure for months on end and still maintain some sort of otherwise friendly relationship. These folks don’t just attack each other’s ideas-- they attack each other’s character. I agree. And it’s not just attacks on character, but the attempt to oust him from office. It’s like if a coworker went into your boss and said you were a incompetant loser and should fired. I think some people in this thread are not adequately distinguishing between politicians who happen to be ideological opponents and politicians who actively compete against each other. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/27 "2012-10-24T19:30:01Z")
Reagan and Tip O’Neill were pretty good friends – at least, “after 5pm”, as Reagan put it. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/28 "2012-10-24T19:52:49Z")
Another for “Some do, some don’t.” I do think everyone legitimately hates Mitt Romney, but that’s because that guy is a major league asshole. ---
**Author:** ![panaccione](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@panaccione](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panaccione)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/29 "2012-10-24T19:54:27Z")
Yea I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, politicians will call each other every name in the book in an attempt to completely ruin their reputation, and then try to steal one anothers job, and somehow be friends when it’s all said and done. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/30 "2012-10-24T20:30:18Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > It was very nasty and very personal. Bush was an out of touch plutocrat who didn’t care about people’s suffering and Clinton was a lying philanderer who would embarass the country if elected. The campaign was half right but it was still very nasty and very personal. I get the feeling that Barbara in particular took it personally. But now there is a mutual love fest going on. And it includes all of the sons too. There is no hint that it is being played up for the cameras. The Bush family considers Clinton part of the family. No mention of Hilary. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/31 "2012-10-24T22:43:40Z")
I think in a parliamentary democracy the really bitter personal rivalries and hatreds tend to happen within the same party. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/32 "2012-10-24T22:54:42Z")
Obama would never say that he wouldn’t be friendly with Mitt, he is to square for that, and the same from Romney. But I get the impression that this is not an election where either head of the ticket has any respect deep down for the opponent. But what do I know? I expect the leaders to get along except for policy differences, but I am disappointed not to see it. Clinton makes it a point to be seen betting along with Bush elder (and even son somewhat) and I think this helps the nation. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/33 "2012-10-25T15:08:27Z")
Quite seriously, I believe it is a huge love fest when they see each other away from debates, filibustering, etc… What’s to separate them? They work together, live, mol, in the same neighborhoods, (while in DC, at least) same socioeconomic situation, same goals (get reelected), same friends, etc… I sort of see it as, I dunno, professional wrestling. A little conflict livens up things…for the audience. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/34 "2012-10-25T15:17:26Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I sort of see it as, I dunno, professional wrestling. A little conflict livens up things…for the audience. I wish it was more like professional wrestling. I would actually watch. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/35 "2012-10-25T15:32:29Z")
My parents were involved in politics. Dad was an elected official for three terms and mom was a Democratic Party chairman for their county. I don’t know about at the national level, but at the county and state levels there seemed to be a pretty fair amount of personal dislike towards certain members of the opposition. As I think someone mentioned upthread, though, the animosity within the party dwarfed that towards the opposition. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/36 "2012-10-25T16:12:03Z")
Yes. I think very poorly of one of my opponents int he 2010 election. And given how much he cussed at me under his breath during our televised debate I figure he’s not that fond of me as well. I regularly mock him in print these days. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/37 "2012-10-25T23:36:59Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > Another for “Some do, some don’t.” I do think everyone legitimately hates Mitt Romney, but that’s because that guy is a major league asshole. Oh please. If Romney were a major league asshole, then Obama would hang around with him. Like he does with Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Eric Holder, Bill Maher, etc. It’s probably like any other field. Some do and some don’t. But I would guess that politicians tend to get along because to get people to vote for you, you almost have to have a likeable personality. Political mudslinging is nothing new, you can find it two centuries ago, and can help a candidate. But it can only go so far. I sometimes wonder if politicians have similar views, does that increase the likelihood of personal disliking. 40 years ago New York Governor Rockefeller and New York City Mayor Lindsay were probably pretty similar as “East Coast liberal Republicans”. Yet the two feuded bitterly, at one point each announced commissions to investigate the other. The 1980 primary between between Carter and Kennedy struck me as particularly nasty, with Carter openly promising to “whip his ass”. Don’t think any previous President used that word. Nixon and Goldwater were a bit different politically but they didn’t strike me as friendly. You can probably say the same about any field: musicians, actors, scientists, teachers, etc. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/38 "2012-10-25T23:42:25Z")
You’re right. Obama hangs out with literally every asshole on Earth, and that he doesn’t pal around (is that the term?) with Mittens proves that Mittens is therefore not an ass. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/39 "2012-10-27T13:29:03Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > … with Carter openly promising to “whip his ass”. Don’t think any previous President used that word. The ‘whip his ass’ thing wasn’t animosity. It was something like ‘Beat Texas’ or some other metaphor. It was used in an election context. Something like “Pres. Carter, how would you do against Kennedy?” ---
**Author:** ![dimmy\_derko](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/43a26b/32.png) [@dimmy\_derko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dimmy_derko)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507/40 "2012-10-27T14:00:56Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I think in a parliamentary democracy the really bitter personal rivalries and hatreds tend to happen within the same party. That’s because they are all scrabbling for the same rung of the ladder. They can get on with opposites because they aren’t fighting for the same position. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-politicians-really-hate-each-other/638507.md?page=3)