Is heated political rhetoric to blame for the deadly shooting in Arizona?  University of Michigan Political Science Professor Vincent Hutchings says we don't know for sure. But it could have contributed to the attack. 

"Disturbed people, of course, can be motivated by any number of different things, but the kind of rhetoric you refer to, it's not inconceivable that it may have made it easier, for that insanity to play itself out in this particular of way." Hutchings said.

Hutchings says most Americans would prefer to see politicians get away from the angry rhetoric.  But Hutchings says as long as the candidates think it works, the nasty attacks will likely continue.