House Speaker Tip O’Neil used to say that all politics was local. If he were still around, he would have to update his axiom to reflect the fact that increasingly politics has become personal.

Take the appalling behavior of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer toward President Obama last month. Or look at the rising hostile tensions between Republican presidential contenders Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.

Cameras caught Brewer wagging her finger in the face of Obama as he arrived at the Phoenix airport. Taking the presidential high road, Obama later said Brewer’s behavior was no big deal. Actually it was a breach of etiquette that Brewer should have learned in kindergarten: One does not poke his or her finger in the face of anyone. To do that to the president of the United States ought to be viewed as an insult to every American, regardless of political party.

The stage was set for Brewer’s indefensible behavior when a fellow Republican, Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, shouted “You lie” at Obama during his 2009 health care reform speech before a joint session of Congress.

As for Gingrich and Romney, they seem to detest one another more intensely with each new debate. It’s gotten so bad that viewers are starting to tune in just to see which one will punch the other first.

No question, 21st century politics is personal.

— The Democrat and Chronicle of Rochester (N.Y.)