Just a thought off the top of my head....but maybe part of the problem is the sort of people going into poiltics? This sort of unsupported, or barely true character assasination is all too common an element of politics these days. It's become a tool of all parties in the states (at least) to not just make us disagree with the other guy's policies...but to encourage us to hate and demonize them.

We have to be more critical consumers when it comes to politics...both in terms of the policies we're being offered, but also in terms of the dirt that's being thrown. If we perpetuate it, we're guillty of giving the good guys reasons to stay out of a messy business.....because the only folks who are going to volunteer for the sort of treatment I see delt out above are going to be those who have hides too thick for my liking in the first place.

2cents.