As GOP presidential hopefuls pummel each other in the primaries, many pundits claim that the damage done to the candidates only benefits President Obama's reelection efforts.
Unfair, mean-spirited and dishonest attacks on opponents certainly weaken the GOP, but not because the general election playbook is being written for the Democrats: the real damage to the eventual nominee is the alienation of his opponent's supporters - a block of voters that needs to coalesce behind the eventual nominee to defeat Obama in November.
Former Gov. Mike Huckabee offended some Republican voters in 2008 by his treatment of rival former Gov. Mitt Romney. During a New York Times interview the former Baptist preacher made a pejorative reference to Romney's Mormon faith - a not-so-subtle signal to evangelical Christians that they shouldn't support a Mormon candidate. Huckabee further insulted Romney supporters when he teamed up with John McCain in a back room deal to defeat Romney in West Virginia. After Romney later withdrew from the campaign, many of his supporters aligned themselves with the "anyone but Huckabee" candidate.
Understanding the candidates' positions on issues, defining differences and examining weaknesses are all vital in the primary process. If there are any stones left unturned in a candidate's personal or political portfolio, the Democrats will attack them with a vengence during the general election. It's best that issues are well flushed out during the primaries so they are old news during the contest with Obama.
During the long primary campaign, presidential hopefuls must be able to promote their candidacy without alienating their opponents' supporters. The candidate most successful in this balancing act has the best chance to ascend to the White House.
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