War on Words

Read an interesting piece in the New York Times this morning about yet another congressional ballyhoo over media comments on the war. This time, it's politicians on the left attacking Rush Limbaugh for comments about soldiers. Last month, it was the right lashing out against moveon.org for the "General Betray Us" ad.
A thought-provoking line:
The back and forth on the Petraeus advertisement and, now, over Mr. Limbaugh’s remarks, illustrates how both parties are turning miscues into fodder in the run up to the 2008 elections, particularly in the absence of serious legislative accomplishment when it comes to the war.
Does this kind of debate serve the electorate well? Should a free society attack commentators like Limbaugh when they're doing what they're paid to do, comment? Do we strip comments of their context when controversies like this catch fire? Do organizations like moveon.org add to debate or make it more shallow?