Most Trolls have the same mode of operation as do the politicians the Trolls support. The identification of the Troll is therefore often the identification of a contemporary Republican. Any one or two characteristics may not be the sole province of the Troll, but the more points noted the higher the chance that the person involved is a Troll.

General characteristics, Trolls:

Fake liberal values.

Lie, confuse or misstate facts.

Try to apply values to Democratic leaders they would never hold for themselves or the GOP.

Demanding or using the government to infringe on the lives of others, while at the same time accusing Democrats of  trying to limit their freedoms.

Fear the government unless it is run by Republicans.

Excel at telling others what they need to do, (while often having serious failures in their own personal life).

Claim they represent only what is best for 'Americans' or another population subset.

Never admit they supported or voted for George W. Bush.

Never admit error, by themselves or the GOP.

Have long memories for everything political;  but not for the empty promises or gross failures of the GOP, George W. etc.

May claim to support the Constitution (but only when Democrats are in the White House).

May select names like 'Progressive Conscience' that sound liberal.

Equate Bush critics and nutjob teabaggers "both sides have their extremes'.

Similarly, feel seeking health care reform is more extreme than starting wars of aggression.

Have little or no record of comments or posts - true trolls when discovered never return with the same name.

May game the recommend system at TPM.

Others??