An Observation

I noted last week that there are things I like about Hillary Clinton the politician and candidate, and things I don't like about Hillary Clinton the politician and candidate, and thus people should manage their expectations of my coverage of her campaign accordingly.

I also want to note that, for me, part of being a good progressive base is pushing a candidate when they're not progressive enough, but also praising them when they are.

Criticism is just part of what I will be doing. Saying, "Yes, this is good; I want more of this, please" is going to be another part of what I will be doing.

In regard to Hillary Clinton, and any other candidates who may emerge to challenge her.

Praising any candidate for any single policy position does not mean I believe they are above criticism.

That seems like it should be an obvious thing, but it has never, ever, played out that way in this space or any other, so apparently it's not obvious.

Let me thus repeat it: Praising any candidate for any single policy position does not mean I believe they are above criticism.

You can agree with my thinking the candidate is solid on said issue, or you can disagree with it, but responding to praise on one issue with: "Yeah, but she sucks on this other issue!" is derailing bullshit that necessarily implies all praise is off-limits unless a candidate is perfect.

I have never seen a perfect candidate. I don't believe I ever will.

But I have seen better candidates than others, and part of the way I believe we get better candidates is through telling them what we like, as much as what we don't.