A big difference between Dems and Republicans is this characteristic of toughness or SOB-like demeanor. Just look at the two sides: Clinton, Gore, Kerry, Edwards, Daschle, Pelosi, Reid, Sandy Berger, Robert Rubin, Robert Reich, Schumer, Al Franken, Ruth Ginsberg, etc. And then look at the GOP: Bush, Cheney, DeLay, Bolton, Rice, Rumsfeld, Santorum, Wolfowitz, Frist, Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Scalia, Ann Coulter, etc. You get the point.

Where is it written that toughness or a strident, brash, SOB-like demeanor = competence? The fact is it's more about appearances over reality. Rather than substance, they go with what comes off as effective. It's small-minded and shallow, and the country deserves better.