...both candidates have differences on substantive policy issues, which they debate passionately, but civilly, unlike the poisonous bull-baiting melodrama the GOP put on.

Putting aside the partisan issues, whether you support Conservative or Liberal, Republican or Democratic ideas, the pure ethos and theater of the two debates contrasts on an intellectual and emotional level. The Democrats are trying to put forward their ideas of how to lead the nation. The Republicans are simply trying to come across as the most ruthless and arrogant to impress their base with the weakness and cowardice of their opponents, not only in the other party, but within their own.

Even to the proverbial visitor from another planet who knows nothing of American politics or the issues involved (and no stake in the outcome), the superficial differences between the two debates must be striking: one is a struggle to communicate conflicts, even contradictions, between ideas. The other is a schoolyard brawl to establish the primacy of the Alpha Male. And I don't need to explain to anyone, not even our hypothetical alien observer, which is which. It is obvious.

These are presumably all men and women of accomplishment and stature, leaders of their own factions. I am fully aware that neither ideology molds individuals intrinsically more perceptive or thoughtful than the other. The difference arises elsewhere. The Republicans are simply appealing to the average mentality of one population of Americans, the Democrats to another. This has nothing to do with which partisan vision of governance is superior to the other. It is simply evidence of which audience each party has chosen to pursue and ally itself with.

And THAT is bad news, especially for thoughtful and principled Republicans. Your interests are not being well served, and I suspect you have no one to blame but yourselves.