I don't think it is all a conspiracy. But I have to think there is a reason why in the last few years every thing has gotten so nasty. I mean everything has to be a fight.
I think I was hearing that the left had raised what something like 60 million dollars to fight Bush's first Supreme Court nominee. Well Roberts was impeccable and that money could not be spent and shelled out on the DC political consultant crowd and related firms. Alot of people lost out on some nice Christmas money lst year over both Alito and Roberts.
I mean I guess I don't see it as much as a conspiracy I just think that folks want to make money up there
Look, absolutely NOTHING about any of this is "new". If you think that the N.Y.Slimes et al's attacks on the president are beyond the pale, read INFAMOUS SCRIBBLERS, by Eric Burns, for starters. If you think that political scandals, name calling and dirty tricks are also newish, I have quite a few more book titles to give you. LOL
Hamilton and Burr's duel, was MORE political than personal...go look it up. :-)
Jefferson paid a hack to smear his political foes, in print, when said hack wasn't given what he thought his due, he turned on Tom and started the whole Sally Hemmings lie.
Yes, there's money to be in in politics and that's part of the reason some people go into it; whether as candidates or handlers, or whatever. For others, it power and fame. For the very few, it is a call of duty.