[mnehring]

What I don't get is why people feel they have to distance themselves from someone with whom they mostly (or almost completely) agree, once they are charged with some character flaw such as antisemitism.

Character Flaw? If True that is much more than a character flaw. That is like saying that Robert Byrd only has a 'character flaw' for being in the KKK.

[American_Centurion]

No matter what you personally think, a persons aberrant beliefs are in fact character flaws. Being a Jew Hater is not an automatic instant ticket to hell. It can be forgiven and the actions overcome.

The least of Byrd's character flaws are his membership in the KKK, he is first and foremost a commie wannabe, I despise him far more for that than racism conducted during a racist era.