this post was submitted on 20 Jan 2026
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[–] Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 12 points 11 hours ago (2 children)

You can seem reasonable and rational when you distinguish between your opponent's truths and your opponent's lies. John McCain earned a lot of respect when he rejected an attack on Obama and pointed out that Obama was a decent person and family man who merely disagreed with McCain on some political issues.

If you don't want your opponent to appear reasonable and rational, don't give them opportunity. Lie about everything, all the time. Lie when the truth sounds better. Lie so much that they never have the opportunity to do anything except call you a liar. Lie so much that your opponent loses credibility every time they rebut one of your lies.

Related: Gish Gallop

[–] CharlesDarwin@lemmy.world 10 points 11 hours ago

John McCain earned a lot of respect when he rejected an attack on Obama and pointed out that Obama was a decent person and family man who merely disagreed with McCain on some political issues.

Well, from normal people, he earned respect for being truthful about this.

From the far right, he got labeled a "RINO" and was considered a "squish" and so on. But this same bunch also felt betrayed by McCain voting down their attempt to rip away health care from millions of Americans, too.

The conservative playbook is to never admit you were wrong and definitely never apologize and just continue with the Gish Gallop. Also, follow The Blessed Saint Ronnie Raygun's (PBUH) 11th commandment - Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.