Imagine the effect. The auditorium is filled with citizens. They're eager to hear the candidates debate. It crescendos until the speaker breaks off and retreats to more civil discourse. Yes, says our poll.
Voters are quite sophisticated.
They think it's fair to take opponents to task for talking one way and voting another, for not paying taxes on time, or for current troubles like alcoholism. They think it's very unfair, however, to attack an opponent for the behavior of other family members, for past personal financial troubles, or for the personal lives of leaders of an opponent's party. So far, the candidates seem to be getting the message. In fact, there's been a veritable onslaught of civility. But the primary season is still young.