Jim, I honestly don't think they hated Clinton (or her husband) per se. I simply think that the stakes have been raised tremendously in the last few years. Politicians (and the press) at least TRIED to be polite in former days, but now the gloves are off for EVERYTHING in our lives that turns into a disagreement. It even shows up on Mudcat (which is a hell of a good representation of a mainstream community)

I'm sure if my father (who was probably pretty liberal) had a political discussion with his neighbour Al Christie (who I think would have been very conservative) they'd have argued, disagreed, and then would have gone out and played golf on Sunday as they always did. I doubt if Al would have called my dad "baby killer, Commie, bleadin' heart pinko" or whatever. I KNOW that my father wouldn't have called AL "Nazi, bigot, gun crazy" or whatever. In fact neither of them would have even THOUGHT that of each other. Today there are battle lines drawn on so many issues, and it can be dangerous to even voice an opinion if you're in the wrong bar or on the wrong turf.

My guess is that whoever becomes President will be treated with vitriol by the other side, and that there'll be hardly anyone in Congress who'll have the nerve to actually praise the other side for making a good decision.

Rick