Why, youre welcome, though theres nothing straw about suggesting to Romney a course of action that would remove him from a posture of hypocrisy.By your own reply, it's crystal clear it's a straw man argument! This is what you wrote:
Not worried that Romney might actually make any such donations. In fact, [I'm] certain he wont.
There are several sources for multiple definitions of "straw man":
- Merriam-Webster Online: "A weak or imaginary opposition (as an argument or adversary) set up only to be easily confuted."
- American Heritage Dictionary: "An argument or opponent set up so as to be easily refuted or defeated."
- Barron's Law Dictionary: "A colloquial expression designating those arguments in briefs or opinions created solely for the purpose of debunking or "discovering" them. Arguments so created are like "straw men" because they are, by nature, insubstantial."
- WordNet: "A weak argument set up to be easily refuted."
- Wikipedia: "A straw man argument is a logical fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "set up a straw man" or "set up a straw-man argument" is to create a position that is easy to refute, then attribute that position to the opponent. A straw-man argument can be a successful rhetorical technique (that is, it may succeed in persuading people) but it is in fact a misleading fallacy, because the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted..."
The Wikipedia definition best described what you have done, because you
- Ignore Romney spokepeople's position on his activities as a director, choosing to suggest without evidence that he had a part in the in-room entertainment policy;
- Allege that Romney has "failed to even attempt to stop porn distribution" when the official position of the Marriott Corporation is that the issue would not have come up before the board of directors, and that if it did, and he had attempted to stop it, Marriott would not comment on it publicly;
- Allege -- without proof that only could be provided by either Romney or the Marriott Corporation -- that part of being "an active, hands-on...extraordinarily effective director" and "visionary leader" meant effecting policy on in-room entertainment choices;
- Openly admitted that you suggested that Romney be asked a question for which you are "certain" the reply would be "no," after which you could continue in attack mode.
THAT is a straw man argument.
Now, rather than engaging in unproven projections about YOUR motivation, I will put a question to you that can be answered "Yes" or "No."
Think of the person that, at present, you would like to see become the next President. Got it?
Now, suddenly, that person has converted to Mormonism.
Do you still want him/her to be President? Yes or No.
“Now, suddenly, that person has converted to Mormonism. Do you still want him/her to be President? Yes or No.”
Don’t care, Smithee. Instead of straw men, you keep putting up softballs.
Unless you are one, I’ve helped elect more Mormons to public office than you’ve probably ever met.