It is always, always worth remembering the truly vituperous hatred of the election of 1800. (and the fact that newspapers were truly partisan outfits)

"don't vote for that guy, he's a french traitor who burns bibles! if you elect jefferson, rape and murder will be legal!"

"oh yeah? well, my opponent's gunning to marry his kid off to the british crown and make us colonists again and establish an Adams dynasty!"