ACORN is "tearing the fabric of democracy." Obama's tax plan is "socialism." Obama "pals around with terrorists." Obama needs to "come clean" about any number of manufactured issues. Obama and his supporters are "Liberal, leftist, and un-American." These are rhetorical jabs that are devoid of truth. Many others, which are also dishonest, are based on the out of context manipulation of facts. While both campaigns, indeed every presidential campaign, trades in the latter form of deception, the use of outright lies seems to have increased and/or expanded sharply in the last two or three presidential elections.
The McCain-Palin campaign's utilization of outright lies and transparent fear mongering has been shocking. That they are not 30 points down in every poll because of it is frightening. Survey research data makes clear that the fiscal and culturally conservative policies of the McCain-Palin campaign are not shared by a majority of Americans. In fact, most are favored by only a small minority of voters, yet the Republican nominee may still be within striking distance. It may even be true that the lead Obama has would be less secure if the Wall Street financial crisis had not focused voters' minds on real policy issues.
It seems to me that the biggest loser in this election is going to be conservatism and conservatives whose approach to governing has been hijacked by anti-intellectual demagogues and hate mongers. Without an articulate, loyal opposition Democrats will be more likely to over reach and "fight fire with fire."
After Obama is elected and the House and Senate seat larger Democratic majorities, serious and bipartisan attention should be given to the re-establishment of rational conservatism and a Republican Party in which this important philosophical counterweight is not extinguished by Palin populism.