From Merriam-Webster:
One of the hazards of complaining about the qualities of the opposing party’s candidates is that it increases the stakes for having qualified candidates yourself.
Paraphrasing one of my favorite political figures from the last century, we’re defining competency down.
My year’s favorite mailer:
Would you vote for a man who rides children’s toys in his underwear?
https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/former-lincoln-man-in-photo-used-in-attack-ad-says-hes-been-dragged-into-political/article_cf861234-2e6b-5835-b224-64d8e6319a16.amp.html