After reading a lot of tweets, listening to some talk radio, and watching some cable TV, I can say that this Romney/birther moment is representative of the whole, horrible campaign cycle we are in.

The level of vitriol and personal animus that exists on both sides over the flap is truly discouraging.

And it is the latest instance in which both sides think backing down in any way would be an unacceptable sign of weakness.

I stand by my own tweet of earlier today:

Joke not funny.But not planned.But insensitive.But PBO does birther jokes.But distractions bad 4 Mitt pre-Tampa.But Dem faux outrage=zzz.

— Mark Halperin (@Markhalperin) August 24, 2012