Well, yes and no.
I've been around here about 13years and I have seen great and passionate argument. And, as with all political sites dedicated to defeating it's political enemies...sometime a little kooky stuff.
Throughout it all the site has been able to maintain a level of dignity in it's discourse to hold close the claim as the most rational site on the internet.
However, I think you are right about one thing...from the time of Obama we have no been as good as we used to be. The passions...even hatred...is bringing onboard a new crew that hasn't been properly chastised when over the line. In the old days, the old-timers were known and respected. When they offered counsel they were listened to and respected.
Now the newbies don't bother to check the history and treat a comment from an old-timer just like a comment from somebody who signed up yesterday. Of course all the old-timers enjoy a good fight as always. But things were done more civilly and the subject matter typically had some basis in fact.
Now conjecture runs rampant and personal attacks are the norm.
I'd like to see more pressure from the Admin mods to go after the personal stuff...and a concerted effort by all the old-times to mentor the newbies in our once classy ways.
Amen