Political Rhetoric In The US Has Gone Over The Top

This op-ed in the Washington Post describes some the rhetoric from conservatives that has been make possible by the current cultural and political climate. The rhetoric has the intent of delegitimizing the democratic party and progressiveness in the US. This happened during the Clinton administration, and it started in the Obama administration even before he took office. A large percent of republican voters still believe that he is not a US citizen. The silence from GOP leaders on this rhetoric is deafening. Unfortunately, Allen West's rhetoric has been well received by voters in his Florida district, and he was widely cheered during his speech at the recent CPAC meeting in Washington. Perhaps West is an example of the new norm in the GOP.