ABSTRACT
Public commentators and cultural influencers have helped to contaminate our politics by spreading fear and division. Among the examples: James T. Callender, the first attack dog of American politics, in the early 1800s; Father Charles Coughlin, the infamous “radio priest,” and, in recent years, conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan, radio commentator Rush Limbaugh and former Fox TV commentator Tucker Carlson.
