Bill Clinton was a big white southern Bubba and he was also given the treatment. Obviously it's something the Right pushes, but frankly it starts with Maureen "Democrats are women except for Democratic women who are men" Dowd. They are not like you is the message that our press sends loudly every presidential campaign.
I don't give Saint McCain credit for much, but it does seem like he really did tamp down those impulses in his campaign. 2008 was not nearly as ugly as it could have been.
Onward to 2012...
