While we hesitate to get political at mental_floss , we savor the chance to get historical . Yesterday , it was reported thatCindy McCain accused Sen. Barack Obama of engage " the foul campaign in American story . “There ’s no dubiety that the mudslinging has certainly escalated in the last few week , but we ’re not certain that this cause is that much harsher than any one in the yesteryear ( in fact , it seems downright tamer!).Here are some highlights from Jenny Drapkin ’s cover story on presidential campaign that might change Cindy ’s opinion , starting with Thomas Jefferson .
Thomas Jefferson Hires a Hatchet Man
" … Jefferson ’s camp accused President Adams of having a " horrific hermaphroditical character , which has neither the strength and firmness of a gentleman , nor the gentleness and sensibility of a cleaning lady . “ In return , Adams ' man called Vice President Jefferson ' a tight - spunky , low - survive fellow , the Logos of a half - breed Indian squaw , sired by a Virginia mulatto father . ' As the slurs pile on , Adams was label a saphead , a phoney , a criminal , and a autocrat , while Jefferson was branded a wuss , an atheist , a libertine , and a coward . "
Thankfully , the words " half - breed " and " hermaphroditical theatrical role " have n’t do up in this election cycle . More perturbing campaigning after the jump .
LBJ Links Goldwater to the Klan
Hayes vs. Tilden: The Most Egregious Election in American History
" … in 1876 , both the Republican campaigner , Rutherford B. Hayes , and his opponent Samuel Tilden expected that Tilden — the Democrat — would win . In fact , as the sunlight set on the eve of the election , both men go to layer believing that Tilden had carried the twenty-four hour period . Little did they eff that in eye of the dark , party private detective would be engaged making sure that every vote did not reckon . " Morehere .
Dick Tuck: The Democratic Mole who Undermined Nixon
" … during a whistle - stop gearing hitch on the same campaign , Tuck disguised himself as a director and ordain Nixon ’s train to deplumate away from the station just as Nixon had begun a speech to the crowd . When Nixon ran for President in 1968 , Tuck hire pregnant cleaning woman to show up at his rally wearing T - shirts that read ' Nixon ’s the One . ' " Morehere .
