The Federalist--Number One
...It seems to have been reserved to the people of this country to decide...whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice.
In the Federalist paper #1, Hamilton says that you don't have to be a good person to do good things.
...we are not always sure that those who advocate the truth are activated by purer principles than their antagonists. Ambition, avarice, personal animosity, parity, opposition and many other motives not more laudable than these are apt to operate as well upon those who support as those who oppose the right side of a question.
This isn't a particularly new concept (well, I mean, it wasn't even particularly new when Hamilton said it) but it bears repeating--often. It's also worth saying that redefining 'bad' so that it means 'stuff this guy does because I hate this guy and everything he stands for' is also not helpful.
To say this man or woman is bad and therefore we need not listen to him or her does us no good, most likely does us harm, really.
When we talk, we might do better, then, to talk about the fundamental freedoms that the USA PATRIOT act and other dubious government actions in the name of questionable incarnations of 'safe' and 'secure.' Not about whether Hilary Clinton dresses funny or Al Gore is wearing a polo shirt instead of a tie.
Hamilton also says that smart people can be wrong and good people can be wrong and arguments laden with error and fallacy can still persuade.
Think for yourselves, says Hamilton, which, like many other things is easier said than done.