A tactic itself does not have to have an elected official.
The tactic itself is what I am talking about, and remain on, despite your use of Red Herrings.
The point is, should Dems or Repubs try to tie anyone with anyone, be it Koch with a Repub, Soros with a Dem, Obama with any locally elected Senator, or a Repub elected president in 2016 with any locally elected Senator?
It’s perfectly fair game to tie a candidate to the leader of his/her party. It is hardly the same to tie a candidate to an individual, or individuals who are private citizens supporting causes they believe in. It’s a quantum leap between the President of the United States/leader of his political party, and wealthy individuals. YOU are creating your own flawed comparison.