The watergate story is your answer I think
In 721 BCE, the Assyrian army captured the Israelite capital at Samaria and carried away the citizens of the northern Kingdom of Israel into captivity. ... After the fall of the northern kingdom, the kings of Judah tried to extend their influence and protection to those inhabitants who had not been exiled.
<span>Besides of traveling around the country to gain support as in today's election, one way in which candidates campaigned during this time was to launch anonymous and oftentimes vicious attacks against their opponents in local newspapers. </span><span />
