The Mean Streets of the Campaign

Jeb Bush liked the expression that "politics is not beanbag."  It's a typically opaque Bush way of saying that running for president is no game.  It's a rough and tumble task that takes tremendous stamina, a thick skin and a fair measure of ruthlessness.  The American people get this and we're fine with that.  Oh, there are some who pine for the civil discourse of yesteryear, something that never really existed.  As long as people have been running for president, there have been nasty personal attacks on the candidates.  If you don't believe me, take a look at what was said about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams when they opposed each other in 1800.  If that's not enough, then look at what was said about Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 election.  This year, however, our campaigns have moved into a new arena.  We now have the candidates themselves engaging directly in the mudslinging and the targets include the families of their opponents.  Candidates used to leave the name calling to others; it was seen as unpresidential to get into the mud.  Not anymore.  Just think of Trump calling Cruz "lyin Ted" or pointing out how much Rubio sweats or calling Carly Fiorina ugly.  That was pretty bad.  Then it got worse when a PAC used a nude photo of Melania Trump from a photo shoot from her modeling days in an ad in very Mormon Utah.  Trump's response was to blame Cruz and threaten his wife Heidi.  It's disgusting.

The families of the candidates ought to be off limits unless the candidate injects his family into the campaign.  Hillary uses Bill all the time, so comments on Bill are appropriate.  Jeb Bush used his brother and his mother to campaign for him, so they were also fair game.  But spouses or children who basically do nothing but stand on the stage next to the candidate should be left out of the mix.  That is especially true when talking about the children of the candidates.