But hardball politics was the order of the day yesterday, beginning shortly after midnight.
In the game of hardball politics this response is what the Administration sought.
The recall isn't just a case of hardball politics.
Mr. Rove has always mixed a deep interest in policy with hardball politics.
Those looking for a definition of hardball politics need look no further than Atlantic City.
He is used to hardball politics and took his shaming in stride - until this.
There are, of course, some hardball politics at work here.
Second, the cancer issue, involving a dread disease, could make him vulnerable to hardball politics.
For all the talk about constitutional principles, the battle here is primarily one of old-fashioned hardball politics.
I play hardball politics, but I don't cross the line.