Political Attack Ads, Circa 1800

tater · 11-01-10, 02:47 PM

Yeah, I remember a while ago thinking about this after I read John Adams (David McCullough). Our elections have been nasty since day one.

Sailor Steve · 11-01-10, 06:21 PM

The "Murder, Robbery, etc..." quote has always been a favorite of mine, pulled out every time someone asks "When did American politics become so nasty?" The interesting part is that the most of them really were anonymous, published in one paper or another but not officially endorsed. The candidates themselves hardly campaigned at all.

The election of 1800 cost Adams and Jefferson their lifelong friendship, not revived until years later. The occasion was the death of Abigail Adams, who had never forgiven Jefferson, and was engineered by their mutual friend Dr. Benjamin Rush.

August · 11-01-10, 07:02 PM

I'm currently reading a book about the the age of Dueling. Coincidentally it that talks a lot about the consequences of negative political ads, especially in the early USA.

Basically negative ads had to be anonymous because otherwise, under the social codes of the times, the writer would be challenged to a duel which he was honor bound to meet. His position in society actually depended upon it. If he ignored or refused he would be publicly pilloried as a dirty coward both verbally and in the press and likely shunned by the public as well.

One had to be careful not to insult a public figure like say Andrew Jackson for example because he'd not only literally kill you for it, he'd come off as just bravely and correctly defending his personal honor against a vicious (and now dead) low life slanderer. After all by the standards of those days a person who lets someone get away with insulting them without responding to a challenge is a dirty low life coward themselves worthy of similar scorn and exclusion.

BTW I recommend this book. It's been a darn interesting read.
http://www.amazon.com/Gentlemens-Blo.../dp/1582343667

Takeda Shingen · 11-01-10, 08:02 PM

^^^ Ordered. Thanks for the recommendation, August. I've always found the history and rationale of dueling to be fascinating.

August · 11-01-10, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

^^^ Ordered. Thanks for the recommendation, August. I've always found the history and rationale of dueling to be fascinating.

Oh cool. You'll like this book then.

tater · 11-01-10, 09:25 PM

This looks interesting:
http://www.amazon.com/Dueling-Sword-.../dp/1581604580

TRhanks for the heads up on the dueling book, the other looks cool, too...

BTW, while the attacks were anonymous in most cases, some were likely written by the candidates (I know a few have been attributed to Jefferson, for example). The papers were shamelessly partisan, as well. They endorsed candidates, and smeared the opponents by all means possible.

Sailor Steve · 11-01-10, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by August

Oh cool. You'll like this book then.

I'm sure I will too. I already have her book Hail To The Chiefs - a very funny look at the presidents.

And the price is certainly right.

August · 11-01-10, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

I'm sure I will too. I already have her book Hail To The Chiefs - a very funny look at the presidents.

And the price is certainly right.

I got this one for free. Rose visited the Audubon Society down the road and there was a huge box of brand new books being given away including several copies each of that one and four more on medieval combat, sword fighting and fencing so she is grabbed one of each.

frau kaleun · 11-01-10, 08:11 PM

I think that early on it was also considered improper to appear overtly ambitious in public life. Campaigning on one's own behalf was just too unseemly an activity for the kind of distinguished gentleman who was considered fit to hold high office. And you have to remember that we had just recently revolted against what we considered a tyrannical power, so for a candidate to look like he was actually seeking political power would probably raise more suspicion than admiration.

11-01-10, 06:21 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	The "Murder, Robbery, etc..." quote has always been a favorite of mine, pulled out every time someone asks "When did American politics become so nasty?" The interesting part is that the most of them really were anonymous, published in one paper or another but not officially endorsed. The candidates themselves hardly campaigned at all. The election of 1800 cost Adams and Jefferson their lifelong friendship, not revived until years later. The occasion was the death of Abigail Adams, who had never forgiven Jefferson, and was engineered by their mutual friend Dr. Benjamin Rush. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

11-01-10, 07:02 PM	#3
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,199 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I'm currently reading a book about the the age of Dueling. Coincidentally it that talks a lot about the consequences of negative political ads, especially in the early USA. Basically negative ads had to be anonymous because otherwise, under the social codes of the times, the writer would be challenged to a duel which he was honor bound to meet. His position in society actually depended upon it. If he ignored or refused he would be publicly pilloried as a dirty coward both verbally and in the press and likely shunned by the public as well. One had to be careful not to insult a public figure like say Andrew Jackson for example because he'd not only literally kill you for it, he'd come off as just bravely and correctly defending his personal honor against a vicious (and now dead) low life slanderer. After all by the standards of those days a person who lets someone get away with insulting them without responding to a challenge is a dirty low life coward themselves worthy of similar scorn and exclusion. BTW I recommend this book. It's been a darn interesting read. http://www.amazon.com/Gentlemens-Blo.../dp/1582343667 __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

11-01-10, 02:47 PM	#1
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	Yeah, I remember a while ago thinking about this after I read John Adams (David McCullough). Our elections have been nasty since day one.

11-01-10, 08:02 PM	#4
Takeda Shingen Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 8,643 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	^^^ Ordered. Thanks for the recommendation, August. I've always found the history and rationale of dueling to be fascinating.

11-01-10, 09:25 PM	#6
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	This looks interesting: http://www.amazon.com/Dueling-Sword-.../dp/1581604580 TRhanks for the heads up on the dueling book, the other looks cool, too... BTW, while the attacks were anonymous in most cases, some were likely written by the candidates (I know a few have been attributed to Jefferson, for example). The papers were shamelessly partisan, as well. They endorsed candidates, and smeared the opponents by all means possible.

11-01-10, 08:11 PM	#9
frau kaleun Rear Admiral Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Skyri--oh who are we kidding, I'm probably at Lowe's. Again. Posts: 12,706 Downloads: 168 Uploads: 0	I think that early on it was also considered improper to appear overtly ambitious in public life. Campaigning on one's own behalf was just too unseemly an activity for the kind of distinguished gentleman who was considered fit to hold high office. And you have to remember that we had just recently revolted against what we considered a tyrannical power, so for a candidate to look like he was actually seeking political power would probably raise more suspicion than admiration.