Memories and lessons from the early 1980's
Back in Reagan's 1st term, many liberals made what I consider to have been a big mistake by going way overboard in their criticisms, insults, etc. of Reagan - calling him a fascist, a loony, a right-wing warmonger, etc. Reagan would just shrug it off in his good natured style, with a smile on his face, and it was the Democrats who suffered, as some very valid criticisms of his policies and beliefs went unheard or unappreciated by the American people.
I think we're seeing alot of that unwarranted meanness from the other side now, and the silly name-calling just exhibits the growing frustration of the shrinking Republican Party.