I actually just became a freerepublic.com reader and member due to the passion behind this year’s primaries, so that kinda offsets your departure. Even if you are disappointed by a fiery debate, leaving isn’t going to change it. Let your voice be heard instead of abandoning something that upsets you.
I hardly call the thousands of ad hominem attacks fired by both sides (I'm guilty, too) as "fiery debates." More like pissing contests.
"Debating the issues" comprises at most 5% of the posts.