How do you deal with someone who argues using ad hominen attacks?

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lromani11

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For example, this guy and I were debating about Obama. After what I perceived were intelligent questions on my behalf that I prefaced did NOT reflect my personal beliefs...he quickly attacked me & said, "you sound like a sell out who critiques black people," rather than asking my questions.

I helped out on Obama's political campaign and volunteered at several rallies. I read his books, etc...just to let you know his argument was moot.

While I do like Obama's platform, I think it's fair to ask questions about his political efforts. I do not think asking simple questions, such as, "why did you vote for Obama?" or "what do you like about him?" Etc constitutes selling out...

So how do you deal with someone who argues using ad hominen attacks?
 
If they have to use ad hominem, just know that you've already won the argument.
 
You do not argue with people who go ad hominem unless you have to. I mean if they are going ad hominem you aren't really having an intelligent argument, you are just fighting with words.

In public politics you have to respond to these sorts of things, but privately it is just best to leave it alone.
 
you can argue back about his mommas ass bein so hairy that she looks like shes sitting on buckwheat

or ignore them
 
It's useless, talking to a some liberals is like talking to the wall. They blindly follow President Obama. They are so defensive that a clear and honest discussion usely ends with an attack and the statement that because you disagree with his policies you must be a racist. This does nothing to improve race relations in this country as it only serves to pit one group of individuals against another.
 
"Why did you vote for Obama?" is a totally irrelevant question. Noone has to answer to you why they vote the way they do. "What do you like about him?" is too broad and general question. Narrow your questions down to a specific issue, if you are up to date on information about specific issues, move past the election and focus on his actions.
 
Unfortunately the liberals have been promoting this kind of intellectual exchange. They choose shouting down someone as a way of getting their point across. The right has picked up on it and has been throwing it back and it sounds like you got caught in the crossfire. You may just want to find someone who really wants to discuss issues instead of one of the zealots.
 
You call them out on it immediately, and refuse to go back to the topic until they explain why they tried to dodge your question and attack you personally. If they won't either apologize or admit they were in the wrong, you don't debate political issues with them again!
 
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