I unfortunately think part of it is perception, and back then I perceived that the election process still worked. I didn’t have a feeling it was being subverted.\
And I didn’t have the overwhelming perception that there were different levels of law, rules, and punishments for elected officials.
However, after the Clinton years, and when I first read up on WhiteWater to understand it...it is pretty clear it was only a perception to me that they were still subject to law.
Not any more, and double that for elections.
I think what woke up people is the garbarge after the 2000 election that gore pulled!!!