You're right Catspaw. I think too much of the energy in politics is devoted to hatred of the opposition. I have talked to many who are not voting for Gore because of their hatred of Bill Clinton,for example.Or they aren't voting for Bush because David Letterman says he dumb. A lot of this is bred by the Rush Limbaughs of the world (and I mean demagogues on both left and right when I say that)who let personal vindictiveness get in the way of what's good for the country.

For crying out loud,isn't it time we judge candidates on what specific plans they have for the country,and on what leadership abilities they possess?I think the tendency for name calling is just a way of not having to think about the real reasons for making a rational decision. The nastiness degrades our country,and ourselves.