Bob Windsor owned a small newspaper The Landmark – all in for Jesse Helms back in 1984 he called Jim Hunt a ‘Sissy, prissy and effeminate.’ The first line in his newspaper article claimed Hunt was gay.

It was a smear. Pure and simple. Not a word of truth in it.

Jesse denounced the smear. But still plummeted in the polls. Back then voters didn’t like smears.

Running for President in the Democratic Primary four years later Gary Hart denied carrying on an affair with an actress, model. A newspaper got an anonymous tip from a woman friend of the model’s. That night reporters staked out Hart’s townhouse. Nailed him with Donna Rice.

The scandal sunk Hart with Democrats. In a primary. Ahead in the polls, he collapsed. Lost.

Time passed, we entered a new era.

Mark Robinson’s been telling voters he’s a Christian – a servant of God. That he’d take the head of his enemy in battle to serve God.

CNN reported he posted on a pornographic website for years. And his posts read like pornography. Robinson denied it but didn’t give a shred of proof he was innocent. While CNN gave a trove of evidence. Most of Robinson’s staff resigned.

Democrats believed he was guilty but were already voting against Robinson.

Independents believed it too – and shifted to voting against him.

Republicans split into 3 tribes: A small tribe said, I can’t support him. He should get out of the race.

A second bigger tribe said they were concerned but stopped there. Trump said nothing.

The third tribe shrugged. They didn’t believe it. It didn’t matter to them.

In a poll Republicans hardly budged – 86% were still voting for Robinson.

Scandals once mattered. But we now live in the era of reality TV politics. Where – to many voters – character hardly matters.