In Praise of Political Insults

The great American political insult is older than the nation itself. Ben Franklin, writing in 1771 before the States were even United, lamented “Libeling and Personal Abuse, which is of late Years become so disgraceful to our Country.” Not even George Washington was spared: Tom Paine raged about his “treachery” and “pusillanimity.”

Read the piece for some great historical examples of some hard-core zingers.