On PBS they have been showing profiles of Presidents. In 1960 Kennedy talked about getting “America’s edge back”… which sounded a lot like “making America Great Again”. In 1964 Johnson questioned the temperament of Goldwater… (which sounded oddly familiar).
Presidents lied and misled and concealed…. the only difference between then and now is that back then “hope” was part of the campaign as well. “The only thing to fear is fear itself…” “Some see things and ask why? I see the things and ask why not”… I misquote.
However I had a sense that in past times there was a belief in the power of good and no matter what presented itself today… tomorrow was another day.
