Most Americans, 57 percent, believe the tragic shooting in Arizona isn’t connected to politics. That’s the result of a new CBS News poll which found only 32 percent of respondents aid the harsh political tone had something to do with the shooting.

The poll of course found a partisan divide:

• Republicans — 69 percent said rhetoric was not to blame; 19 percent said it played a part.

• Democrats — 49 percent saw no connection; 42 percent said there was.

• Independents — 56 percent said rhetoric had nothing to do with the attack; 33 percent felt it did.

The left-wing hate machine’s efforts to blame the shooting on the right has failed to persuade Americans, who continue to show they are smarter than many political activists give them credit for being.

Now that it is clear there is no political advantage to be gained in the political blame game, perhaps Barack Obama can apologize for his extreme rhetoric as he picks up the mantle of “consoler in chief.”