Yep.
It is truly extraordinary how the political discourse has devolved to the extent you described.
It’s everywhere. The conservative message or even the truth is virtually never considered once the “source” of the message is defined as conservative.
When we oppose a particular 0bama/Dem plan or law, the conversation is never about the details of the proposal, because we actually read the thing, it becomes about “Who” is against it, not “What” we are against. It’s all very superficial.
We have been reduced, by the media and the Democrat party, to a culture that puts all of their faith in their leaders to tell them what to think. They defend themselves and their party by ridiculing the source of the opposition as their first line of defense. This has been soo successful over the years that the need to even go to a second line of defense rarely occurs.
In addition, we are now seeing a greater defense of people that are simply ignorant of the issues. Apparently they have the right to have their opinions considered even though they have no clue what they are talking about.
A “Brave New World”, indeed.
And when that rare second line of defense does rear it's head, it's usually, "well, (fill in the Republican blank), did it first/too/worse so (fill in the Democrat blank) is justified".