I think these are all excellent questions, especially given the depths to which the Repubs have been willing to sink in recent elections. We all saw how effective it was for Kerry to ignore and rise above the Swiftboat stuff - unfortunately, as Texas seems to be indicating, negativity may be what gets the votes. Which raises the age-old question of how much compromise is ok if its to get elected, and when that crosses the line to becoming a candidate we no longer want to get elected. (Although, frankly, I would vote for my half-cold cup of coffee over McCain.)