The Tea Party Supporters Speak Out-loud

The article below, which appeared in The New York Times on April 14, 2010, discusses the Tea Party’s supporters views and concerns. They describe themselves as not only being more conservative then Obama given he is more liberal, but also “angry” with Obama’s presidency. The article states that they are angry mainly because they feel the direction and policies implemented in his administration are taking America away from what America stands for. Kathy Mayhugh, 67, a retired medical transcriber in Jacksonville argues:


“I just feel he’s getting away from what America is”. He’s a socialist. And to tell you the truth, I think he’s a Muslim and trying to head us in that direction, I don’t care what he says. He’s been in office over a year and can’t find a church to go to. That doesn’t say much for him.”


Premises:

1. Obama is a socialist.

2. Obama is a Muslim and trying to head us in that direction.

3. Obama has been in office over a year and can’t find a church to go to.

Conclusion:

Obama is getting away from what America stands for.


This argument is in critical condition because it commits the Ad Homidem Abusive fallacy. The premises stated are attacking Obama’s ‘person’; neither his presidency nor the administrations policies. The first premise, Obama is a socialist, is directly used against Obama. The other premise, Obama is a Muslim, again is attacking his person. Because of the 911 attacks there is negative connotation of the word Muslim. Some American people try to use this as an argument against Obama’s presidency, it is not arguing against his presidency and the direction America is heading it is directed at attacking Obama himself.


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/us/politics/15poll.html?emc=eta1