Think that the 2000 was something new and different,where the people/party who lost kept the flame of vituperation alight for years? Then think again! The election of 1800 was so divisive,that Jefferson and Burr and Adams and Bayard and others kept at the recriminations for decades and it was not only VERY nasty,but dirty and deadly.
Nixon's pillorying goes way back,as I said earlier and was far dirtier than you remember.No,there wasn't a Michael Moore,there wasn't a film,but it really was as bad,if not worse than the Bushbashings of today.There really WAS a LEFT WING CONSPIRACY AGAINST NIXON,BUT THERE WAS NOT A VRWC AGAINST CLINTON! The two just do NOT equate.
Dirty? The attacks on President Bush are warmed over Reagan stuff;except that Laura hasn't been attacked and Nancy was reviled,smeared,lied at about,and took hits for years and years.
The constant smears against Mrs. Jackson, killed her.
The constant smears against President Lincoln and the mentally fragile Mrs. Lincoln,sent her over the edge.
Politics has ALWAYS been filthy,with brief periods of some civility.
Just as every era since Christ was crucified had people believing it was the "end times",every generation seems to think that when there guy gets targeted,politically,is THE worst.It's only when one investigates prior eras,does one realize that it's pretty much business as usual.