[overgard]

I definitely don't support the guy, but to an extent we're already here with Trump. If that guys twitter feed didn't kill his political ambitions it probably points to the fact that people don't really care about their politicians presenting themselves as squeaky clean. It will probably take a decade for this to become the new normal though.

[losteric]

Have you seen how Trump supporters treat other politicians? Trump gets a pass on anything because he's on "their team", opponents are under a hyper-partisan microscope where even reasonable normal behavior is criticized.

[AnIdiotOnTheNet]

That's completely normal in partisan politics. This stuff occupies the same headspace as cheering on a football team for most people.

Which is to say, when you make being a member of a political group part of your identity, you are inclined to defend it as you would yourself: with irrational non-objective gusto.

[overgard]

Of course people are always going to use social media for ammo, I just think the era where politicians can reasonably expect to curate a public image that's wildly different from their personal lifestyle is essentially over. And honestly that might be a good thing -- much like mutually assured destruction with nuclear missiles, if every politician knows their opponents can dig up bad stuff about them easily it might elevate the discourse since low blows will lead to a vicious cycle for everyone

[aaron-lebo]

Sounds like politics, generally. The only thing odd about Trump is how tactless he is.

[wlll]

I suspect that this was linked to people seeing Trump as different to the status quo. Yeah, he was rude, made incoherent outbursts, etc. etc. but that set him apart from the career politicians that had gone before.

I'm pretty sure that any "regular" candidates for political office in the future will still be judged harshly by what they have done in the past. I think that what Trump stood for got him a pass.