McCarthyism existed before Senator Joe came to the forefront.
The Crucible was not written about McCarthy, it came into being from the earlier hunt for communists in government, institutions, and industry. And just as the kids in The Crucible WERE practicing witchcraft (whether or not their spells did any harm), communists HAD infiltrated our highest offices.
The left's own "McCarthyism" needs a name. Zogbyism works for me. Maybe some other term would be preferred. McCarthy was right about Communism while Zogby was wrong about Kerry winning in 2004.
The left demonizes their enemies (they ceaselessly go after whoever the "top" Republican is) with trumped up charges, hoaxed documents, and fraudulent "news" items. They share much propaganda technique with Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, Communist China, North Vietnam, Castro's Cuba, and North Korea.
They've found that the best defense is a good offense. Call their enemies on the right "fascists" to mask their own despoptism. Our policy in Iraq (and discussed plans before putting it into action) are "fascist" only because of the (R) behind the president's name. When Bill Clinton and John Kerry were huffing and puffing in 1997, there was no outcry from the left.
"The left demonizes its enemies..."
Good example: Barry Goldwater.
Before the election everyone was told he would start a nuclear war if elected.