Actually I think that kind of hostility works in our favor because it is so virile and excessive. It should actually be encouraged. What we need is not to call attention to these types of statements by pretending to be offended, but to call attention to them by making them the object of our ridicule. The more these types of statements get covered in the media, the more it will turn off moderates who otherwise might be tempted to vote democratic.
Painting Schwartenegger as a right wing wacko was what turned the tide in the recall election for Schwartenegger. People who said, hey he thinks like me, were not too happy when whack jobs like bustamante tried to paint him as a Nazi.
Let's not pretend to be offended by thse silly remarks. Lets just laugh and point fingers at their stupidity.
I exactly agree with your post 73. Right on.