American politics have been hideous for as long as I’ve been paying attention to them. Every single candidate has been characterized as extreme, dumb, and evil. Viewing it from the right, I witnessed extreme unfairness toward GW Bush, McCain, and Romney. And those on the left saw much the same directed toward their candidates/presidents. So while I see a difference between Trump and those previous candidates/presidents, the reaction is basically what I’d expect no matter who was elected.
Was Hillary characterized as extreme, dumb, and evil? Was Jeb[!]? Kasich?
I’ve become disillusioned about it all. When Republicans nominate someone else, we will still hear how that person is extreme, dumb, and evil (and basically the same, or worse than Trump).
I should have said nominee rather than candidate. Hillary was primarily characterized as extreme and evil. The adjectives vary but the same idea is there. Jeb and Kasich had reputations as moderate, mostly by comparison and by a lack of focus. Kasich is a loon. Even Jeb would have been tarred as dangerous had he been the nominee.
I am from the future.