Granted, this is no easy task, but responsible journalism demands it. By the Politicians Partisanship, in and of itself, is neither evil nor sinful. American voters expect politicians to advance the positions, goals, and philosophies of one party or another in opposition to those of competing parties. We realize that there are some debates and campaigns that will be acrimonious because of the depth of feeling involved. At issue is the manner in which the partisanship is exhibited.
Incivility frustrates the full airing of honest differences.
It is difficult to focus public attention on choices among legitimate alternatives when rhetoric is dominated by personal demonization. Civility is no obstacle to passionate advocacy, partisanship, wit, and yes, even humor, but it requires some agreement on fundamentals, and it certainly requires mutual respect. Let us negotiate soon and hard. But in the end, let us produce. The American people await action.