Those who do not support Obama are free to express their views here, with limits.

First, Gratuitous insults, smears and personal venom against the Obamas, as well as race-baiting comments will be deleted.

Commenters may disagree with Obama's policy positions, actions, specific statements, campaign strategy and the like. They can point out his inconsistencies. I'm sure I will have plenty of criticism of all the candidates, including Obama as we go forward. I have no intention of becoming a cheerleader for him.

Commenters may express their intention to vote for a different candidate, but may not use this site as an organizing ground for their preferred candidate. TalkLeft does not allow shilling by commenters for any candidate.

Commenters may not spread or discuss gossip about him or attack him or his wife because they don't personally care for him. Personal venom and character attacks are not allowed.

As is clearly stated on our home page, the commenters do not express the views of TalkLeft.

For those who missed it the first time I wrote it, here is the difference between what's acceptable criticism and disagreeement with a candidate and what is personal venom or hate which is not acceptable.

I'm seeing a lot of comments that go well beyond disagreeing with Barack Obama on issues or criticizing him with respect to matters that reflect on his suitability to be President.

I'm not going to spell out what's okay and what's not. Suffice it to say, TalkLeft and all three of its writers now support Barack Obama for President. He is the Democratic nominee and we are Democrats.

That doesn't mean you won't find criticism of him here. You will. Just as you'll find criticism of almost all our politicans and policy makers and the media (and for Big Tent Democrat that includes bloggers.)

But there's a difference between expressing disagreement with politicians and voicing displeasure with some of their actions and comments, -- and even with questioning their sincerity or suitability for office -- all of which are okay -- and with filling the comment threads with hateful character attacks.

I hope those of you who supported Hillary will take her at her word and transfer your support to Barack Obama. If you don't want to do that, you can still comment here, but not just to trash Barack Obama or his wife. You can't spread falsehoods, like he stole the nomination. He didn't. The Democrats gave it to him. [More...]

If you honestly believe that John McCain is better on some issue, you're free to say so here. If you think he'd make a better President, you are free to say so, so long as you don't constantly chatter about it and try to dominate the threads or annoy other readers.

You may not use TalkLeft as an organizing ground to gain support for McCain. That's not what comments are for. They are for expressing your opinion, consistent with our commenting policy.

...I had my fill of comment moderating during the primary campaign. I'm not going to dwell on comments here any more. I'm just going to ban commenters who violate the rules and in the case of new users, vaporize all their comments and their accounts.

TalkLeft has always allowed comments with all points of view, including those different from our own. It's how they are expressed -- and whether they contain blatant falsehoods or are banal repetitive chatter that determines whether they stay.

As for long-time Obama supporters, if you think I'm going to praise and cheerlead his every step to the White House, you're wrong. I wouldn't do that for my preferred candidate and I won't do it for him. If you personally attack me or any writer at TalkLeft, or the site itself, your comment will be deleted.

....If you find what we have to say worthwhile, by all means, keep visiting and commenting -- you are welcome here whether you agree or not. Conversely, if you find us intolerable or irritating, or if you dislike our commenting rules, the internet is a vast and wide place, and I encourage you to go out and find a site more to your liking.

Comments now closed.