American politics is "polarized." That's the conventional wisdom; wise normal people think that, Chinese think that, idiot bloggers think that. It's true. America has always been bipolar...maybe in both the political and psychological meanings. In politics we have two parties. That's "bi," duh. That's not what people mean though. They mean when they say American politics is polarized today that there is an unusual breadth and depth of hatred among partisans of one candidate towards the other. I think there is hatred in American politics today. I think some people really hate President Obama. A lot of people really hated President George W. Bush. A lot hated Bill Clinton. I don't understand the hatred but I agree it's there. Is this hatred unusual in American politics though? Some people hated Richard Nixon, some hated FDR. And then there are these. These are actual campaign slogans of actual candidates for the actual presidency:
"Blaine, Blaine, James G. Blaine, The Continental Liar from the State of Maine," Grover Cleveland-AND-"Ma, Ma, Where's My Pa, Gone to the White House, Ha, Ha, Ha," James G. Blaine (1884). Editorial note: Cleveland fathered a child out of wedlock. Can these ever be topped? No.
"Cox and Cocktails," Warren G. Harding (1920).Ed. note: James M. Cox, the Democrat, was a "Wet," i.e. against Prohibition, i.e. for drinking. If I had been alive in 1920 Cox would have gotten my vote.
"In Your Heart, You Know He's Right," Barry Goldwater-AND-"In Your Heart, You Know He Might" (over a picture of a nuclear mushroom cloud), Lyndon Baines Johnson (1964).
Dishonorable mention:
"Reannexation of Texas and Reoccupation of Oregon," James K. Polk-AND-"Who is James K. Polk?," Henry Clay (1844).
