[PeterPrinciple]

but they couldn’t offer facts or reasons to back up their statements."

I suspect this is not a true statement. she just didn't want to hear them.

[SteveH]

but they couldn’t offer facts or reasons to back up their statements...

A method I have heard used on occasion is that whatever counter-factoid "can't be documented in a newspaper of record, i.e. the New York Times or the Washington Post..." (and just about any other neutral or conservative leaning source is smeared as right-wing immediately upon being cited).