There were powerful arguments to be made on the facts, and
    some did just that. Unfortunately, though, some in the GOP
    decided the way to succeed was to revert to the tactics 
    they have criticized those on the other side of the aisle 
    for engaging in for so many years. I wonder if they 
    realize how many supporters they risk alienating if they 
    continue down the road of trading accusations 
    like "traitor" and "bigot" in future debates. 

    I was drawn to the Republican Party as a teenager, and 
    have happily remained a Republican, in large measure due 
    to the tendency among its advocates to argue facts and 
    appeal to logic, rather than solely emotion.

    In the case of the recent immigration debate, the public 
    desperately needed facts about the bill and its possible 
    ramifications. In addition to facts, emotion does play an 
    important role in political debate. Passion is what moves 
    the public to call and write their congressmen and to 
    venture out on a rainy day to vote. What too often passed 
    as passion and factual debate on this issue, however, were
    attacks hurled from those on both sides of the issue.