Quotable Quotes: Campaigns of the Founding Fathers
by Miki SaxonAre you as disgusted with political campaigning as I am?
The lies and slurs are tiresome no matter who you like, because, as we all know, the other side always lies.
Some feel the lies and attacks are far worse than ever before and long to return to a more civilized political era, such as that of our founding fathers.
The good news is that the lies and attacks aren’t worse, just more frequent.
The bad news is that our founding fathers were as bad if not worse.
And the prime mud, then as now, involved race and religion.
In 1796 and 1800 John Adams supporters accused Thomas Jefferson of being “godless” as well as sleeping with a slave.
“God and a religious president, or Jefferson and no God!” (…) Jefferson versus Adams may also have the dubious distinction of being the first time the so-called race card was played.
The information comes from a fascinating article that provides the rest of today’s quotes, along with excellent commentary and a sample of political cartoons that are markedly harsher than today’s.
As is frequently the case when it comes to politics, our perceptions about political election history are more a function of misconceptions colored by wishful thinking.
Flickr image credit: By Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com