You're right about the consequences to Republicans of engaging in extreme nastiness. But as I outlined in my post, it's possible that they'll eventually feel backed into a corner and that they have nothing to lose by going extremely negative.

"The USA will survive and prosper even under an Obama Presidency."
You're full of surprises, Scott, but the surprises themselves aren't a surprise--you follow your heart and gut and not a rigid ideology. In one sense you're damning Obama with feint praise, and putting your faith in America (good man!). But in another sense it sounds like you're feeling the effects of Obama's charisma-field. While I suppose a dogged rationalist like Tom might say that that makes your view completely invalid, I say that a President's ability to lead through inspiration is perhaps the crucial factor in making a President a good leader and not just an office-holder.

Republicans today tell this story about how Ronald Reagan was hated and despised by everyone except "the base", but that's revisionist history of the comforting David-and-Goliath kind, and doesn't explain his reelection or his first election. I was there, and the truth is that everyone who disagreed with his policies had to fight against the man's charm and charisma to mount any serious opposition. Kennedy and FDR had a bit more of it, Clinton a bit less, and Ike was affable (sorry, I sincerely tried to find more Republican Presidents to balance the list, but only Ike came close). The President is a strong psychological symbol to Americans, and his/her temperament sets the national mood.

It tells you more than polls about the national mood today that people are flocking to Barack Obama. We want to feel better about our country and ourselves, and Obama isn't creating that feeling, he just happens to be the right person at the right time. And that's where faith in America kicks in: Just get us motivated and point us in the right direction, and we'll take care of the rest.