". . . some key [events] exacerbated the national debate, fraying trust, and national cohesion just a little more each time . . . The two-party system that had governed America . . . begin to fall apart . . . interest in politics took the place of all other forms of news-related entertainment . . . politicians were the celebrities . . . [Politics/ideology] was becoming such a habit, the reactions so automatic, that [journalists] taking sides on every news story became inevitable."
.. no wait! My mistake I just learned that this is from for Love & Liberty by Robin Young and it's about 1857 America at the start of the administration of James Buchanan. My mistake.
But while I'm at it.. what the hell.
"[T]o placate the Southern wing of his party Buchanan passed over some of his powerful Northern political supporters and allies who had expected to receive cabinet appointments, appointing instead a majority of slaveholders, he essentially surrounded himself with a majority of men who had no stake in the Union."
or the Obama version..
"[T]o placate the ultra-left wing of his party Obama passed over some of his powerful moderate to conservative supporters and allies some of whom expected presidential appointments, appointing instead a majority of blame-America-firsters, he essentially surrounded himself with a majority of men and women who had no stake in the United States of America (at least as She had been for 200+ years)."
Outstanding!