[Lakeshark]

Okay, we'll disagree on the rhetoric level, I just don't see it being all that different. The difference was that W decided not to respond, not to defend himself, and that left a void in public discourse. I found that disconcerting some time around 2005, and still do.

I think you are admitting he didn't: I would have been screaming in self-defense if I were President Bush, but that's not what he thought was the right thing to do.

[ohioWfan]

Of course I'm saying he didn't respond hard enough to his critics. What I disagree on is what good it would have done.

I mean, how is one to respond to a play or book calling for your assassination? The rhetoric was far worse.

Oh.......and campaigning against Bush was only one reason McCain lost. Certainly not the only reason.

He was a horrible candidate. NO disagreement there.