I do not understand politicians or those regular folks who can call each other vile names and say insulting things to and about each other and end up as friends. Phonies aren't they?

Nah, it is a boy thing. The best way to make friends for a young boy it to fight another boy until both of them are exhausted. As they sit in the grass panting afterwards they automatically become friends. I dont think girls have a corresponding mechanism ;-)

Of course, they are in it for themselves the Clintons are the masters of greed.

Those in the political class often don't take their work home with them in the same way the general population does.

I've read that SCOTUS justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the late Antonin Scalia, while wildly divergent in the political/moral beliefs and who almost assuredly took potshots at each other in their opinions, were nonetheless good friends.

Political consultants James Carville and Mary Matalin, who work opposite sides of the political spectrum, have remained married for 23 years.

Moreover, on a simple practical level, people in the political class do end up having to work with each other. Once the campaigning and the "My opponent hates Mom, Apple Pie, and Puppies" speeches are done, the work of governing has to go on. Most politicians have to have thick skins and short memories to make that possible.

From the Book of Official Explanations:

If one politician refers to another politician informally (e.g. "I'm pleased to co-sponsor the bill offered by Fred..."), there's a very good chance they're friends.

If one politician refers to another politician semi-formally (e.g. "I'm pleased to co-sponsor the bill offered by Senator Jones..."), it's a good bet they have a decent working relationship, even if they are not personally friendly.

If one politician refers to another politician very formally (e.e. "I am now offering an amendment to the bill proposed by the distinguished Senator from the State of Kentucky), you can be sure they hate each other's guts.

...;-D...

I don't typically relate to people that way, but I do realize that some people bond this way. There's nothing wrong with it.

Seriously JakobA?  Okay. Well since I'm a gal and have neber been a guy I shall take your word for it. No disrespect intended but that sounds really kinda dumb. Why start off being your worst selves? Thank you for your reply and Happy Wednesday! :)

I always thought referring to a colleague as "distinguished" was a mark of respect. It ain't? Oh geez.  Mahalo for your reply OS and Happy wWednesday! :)

I don't get it. How do you bond with someone who calls you "psychotic" whom you think is braindead and have said so? Seriously. Do words mean nothing any more? If not of what value are they?  Thank you for  your reply Rpf! :)

Saing "He is braindead" is not the same as believing he is braindead. It is a deliberate insult, and can be ignored as such ;-))

I don't know the context, so it's hard to answer you properly. All I can say is that in the context of some friendships, insults can really be terms of endearment. As I've said before, you might want to provide some background info, links, etc, so people have some idea what you're talking about exactly, rather than leaving people to guess. Unless you're being deliberately vague, in which case I really don't know what to say.

Sure it is dumb, but then, most sports are essentially "fighting with rules". Ever seen a 'tackle' in American Football?

 Point taken JakobA! Happy  Thursday! :)

 If I give you details it won't change a thing. Knowing who is involved matters not at all   Rpf.  Taken on its face being able to answer the question seems easy to me. Now I grant you I know all the backstory but if I provide it to you it will not enlighten you. Folks whom I thought were friends flipped all of sudden in tandem. All via email. One called me psychotic. Also said I was very hateful. The other echoed that. See? Then I got subsequent emails which I automatically deleted. I have no idea what the content was nor do I care but the subject matter of one was "I love you but". My a **! . I am done with them.  There is no way in he** I will ever be friends with folks like that. They crossed the line.   Now that you know what difference does it make? Thank you for your reply and Happy Thursday!