Being offended is the new high road of low politics. Ultimately, we are not looking for confidence-inspiring leaders any more, but victims who successfully take umbrage. If you haven't been fired from someone's campaign staff, it is not clear you have really been helping the candidate.
Michael Kinsley captures the spirit beautifully in The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/15/AR2008031501004.html?hpid=opinionsbox1