This is nothing new. It was the most under reported news story of the 2004 election. Brownshirts for Kerry were vandalizing homes, businesses, and property to intimidate Bush supporters. There were even episodes of violence.
The Civil War that is brewing has already gotten to the violent stage. I'm just glad there wasn't a revolt because of the election.
Hate Crimes laws protect religious beliefs and sexual beliefs (there is no "wear the clothes of the opposite sex" gene), but offer no protection for political beliefs.
Political correctness sucks.
Such attacks were not an isolated event:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=brownshirtsforkerry