Why can’t we focus on “real” issues during this presidential campaign? Much has happened the last four years under Bush’s tenure. And neither the numnuts nor the nimrods disagree that America is at a critical juncture. There is a lot at stake.

And yet rarely does contemporary political argument rise above the ad hominem character assasinations that both campaigns seems to think is most effective in the ratings tug-of-war. I don’t care how long Bush was in Alabama during the Vietnam war; I don’t care how close Kerry was to the Cambodian border, or what the Veteran Boat Swifties for Truth think of him. Oh, wow! Some associates of Kerry didn’t like him during the war? What a surprise!

Some argue that Kerry is getting a taste of his own medicine, since Bush has been consistently hammered hard by independent organizations or left-leaning Michael Moores. That’s true; Bush has not been the media’s darling of late. But that is not justification for escalating the never-ending political cycle of superficial cries for “Let’s stick to the issues” while mud-slinging continues in the background.

What is sad is that ad hominem character assasinations are very effective with the general populace. Adherence to logical, reasoned argument doesn’t seem to do it, as today’s political climate is evidence. George W. Bush is the embodiment of this fact. His religiosity and strong-arm diplomacy appeal to the conservative base. His smarmy smile, his dim-witted attempts at public speaking, give lefties fits.

Of course, as always: Mr. Sun gets its right.