It is acceptable to say a republican or some republicans are low lifes...one wouldn't be deriding an entire group of people just because they are part of that group.  Also, I there is a difference between referring to a political party (a set of ideals....a platform...intangible) and referring to a political party (all of the people who are members of that group). e.g. "the gop is in crisis mode" doesn't mean that individual rep's are in crisis. I think perhaps Tam is referring to it as the former...though I'd have to go back and reread it to be sure... I am too tired to bother. It is an idea that I sometimes struggle with myself. e.g. Roman Catholic transubstantiation, when I sit and think about it, is weird and disturbing to me....which makes the faith weird and disturbing to me, but certainly not the people. I might find it crazy that someone believes in transubstantiation, but I wouldn't necessarily say that the person is crazy.  (sorry, little off topic, but it's been on my mind.)