“Lyin’ Ted” is not clever. “Little Marco” is not insightful. “Make better deals” is not a political philosophy.

Vigorous campaigning is accompanied by a heavy dose of silliness. We could tolerate and overcome such things over short spans. The major problem with modern presidential campaigns is that they drag on for over a year. The partisan snark and cynicism transform us. We tend to lose sight of all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

Skip the cable news. Read a good book.