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Politics Has Always Been Nasty

In 1800, James Callender, pamphleteer and journalist, wrote this about John Adams, one of America's most revered founding father:

It is not so well known, as it should be, that this federal gem [John Adams], this apostle of the parsons of Connecticut, is not only a repulsive pedant, a gross hypocrite, and an unprincipled oppressor, but that he is, in private life, one of the most egregious fools upon the continent.

He went on to "enquire by what species of madness America submitted to accept, as her president, a person without abilities, and without virtues."

It's easy to think of our democracy as teetering on the edge as we read news coming from the campaign trail this election season. It makes us long for our golden age of politics, when politicians got along and were civil to one another.

But those rosier days never really existed. Politics has always been a nasty sport. It's been part of the fabric of American political campaigns since the days of our founding, when the signing of our Constitution almost didn't happen.

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Colin McEnroe, Chion Wolf, and Greg Hill contributed to this show.

Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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