Gotta disagree with you there. This political climate has been in existance since the 1992 campaign, right through the Clinton years. It's just that the shoe is on the other foot now, and you are just beginning to notice it Ms. Maines.
I agree in general with what you say, with some minor alterations. My opinion (for what its worth) is that the 'Rats became unhinged with the '94 congressional elections when they lost control of an institution they had pretty much owned for several decades. Then, you have the 2000 election in which the 'Rat party has perpetuated the myths of it being stolen, minorities being disenfranchised, etc. And so, the rabid, anti-logical hatred of Bush carries over into every political subject of our day.
Also, the Clinton-bashing of the '90s was based on facts and logic, unlike the Bush-bashing of today, and the GOP majority in Congress was willing to work with him and passed some fairly meaningful legislation (e.g. welfare reform) without the immature temper tantrums and refusals to vote on nominations, etc.
What has been the same, however, are the tactics of denial, attacking the accuser, changing the subject, denying the obvious (e.g. oral sex is not sex, perjury is not impeachable) that became the standard 'Rat m.o. during Clinton's term and has remained so today.