Ugly U.S. presidential election campaigns

1800 Negative campaigning. President John Adams (above left) finds himself running against Vice-President Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson’s camp accuses Adams of being a hermaphrodite, while Adams’ supporters accuse Jefferson of being the son of a
half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father, and of having an affair with one of his female slaves.
Jefferson defeats Adams

1884  Sex and morals. Republican nominee James G. Blaine (above left) is accused of selling his influence in Congress to business interests. Democrat Grover Cleveland’s public image as crusading opponent of corruption is tarnished by stories of his lecherousness. Cleveland, while single, fathered a child with a widow named Maria Crofts Halpin. Republicans
chant “Ma, Ma, where’s my Pa?” at Cleveland’s public appearances, Democrats counter with “Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha.” Cleveland becomes president

1992  More sex and morals. Leading into New Hampshire primaries, Gennifer Flowers (above right) — former model and one-time cabaret dancer – nearly wrecks Democratic candidate Bill Clinton’s run for presidency. Flowers claims she had a 12-year affair with Clinton while he was governor of Arkansas. Clinton aggressively denies Flowers’ allegation and goes on to defeat President George H.W. Bush in November

1828 Nastiest contest. Slurs fly back and forth between war veteran General Andrew Jackson (above left) and John Quincy Adams, with Adams accused of being a pimp. Jackson’s mother is labelled a prostitute brought to America by British soldiers, and his wife, Rachel, is called a slut and “convicted adulteress.”   Jackson wins election. White House inauguration day party descends into a drunken brawl

1952  Tricky Dicky’s doggy tale. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Republican running mate, Richard Nixon (right), is accused of
hiding $18,000 in campaign funds and accepting pet cocker spaniel, named Checkers. “Secret fund” overwhelms presidential
campaign, with Eisenhower’s staff calling on Nixon to resign. In an emotional TV speech defending himself, Nixon refers to Checkers. “The kids, like all kids, love the dog… regardless of what they say about it, we’re gonna keep it.” The speech works. Eisenhower keeps Nixon on ticket and wins election

2016  Gloves are off, nothing is out of bounds. Republican nominee Donald Trump responds to an outcry over his lewd remarks about groping women by claiming Democrat Hillary Clinton attacked women who accused her husband of sexual abuse, and promises to send former secretary of state to jail if elected

Source: News reports

Pictures: Associated Press, Getty Images, Library of Congress