PACs & Super PACs

More history.
Back in the days of Adams and Jefferson it was considered inappropriate for candidates to personally campaign - or even pretend to be interested in the office.
All the campaigning was conducted by surrogates - mostly 'independent press' - pamphleteers.
And these pamphleteers had NO scruples whatsoever!
Accusing the opposition of having carnal knowledge of his pigs was perfectly acceptable! (The LBJ tactic: "Make him deny it!")

Nope: current political environment isn't the worst we've ever endured.
... it is, in fact, almost genteel compared to campaigns past.

(... How come no one knows this? This is simply HISTORY!... You can read about it! - in BOOKS!)