Obama in 2010: Don’t Compare Your Political Opponents to ‘Authoritarian Regimes’

‘You can question somebody’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism’

BARACK OBAMA, speaking May 1st, 2010 at the University of Michigan commencement address:

"Now, the second way to keep our democracy healthy is to maintain a basic level of civility in our public debate.  (Applause.)  These arguments we’re having over government and health care and war and taxes -- these are serious arguments.  They should arouse people’s passions, and it’s important for everybody to join in the debate, with all the vigor that the maintenance of a free people requires. 

"But we can’t expect to solve our problems if all we do is tear each other down.  (Applause.)  You can disagree with a certain policy without demonizing the person who espouses it.  You can question somebody’s views and their judgment without questioning their motives or their patriotism.  (Applause.)    Throwing around phrases like “socialists” and “Soviet-style takeover” and “fascist” and “right-wing nut” -- (laughter) -- that may grab headlines, but it also has the effect of comparing our government, our political opponents, to authoritarian, even murderous regimes."

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