John Adams and Thomas Jefferson ran negative presidential campaigns . Adams was labeled a fool , a hypocrite , a criminal , and a tyrant , . He lost the election to James Madison by only about 50,000 votes in 1800 ( which is why he didn't run again ). Jackson was a humble war hero from the rural South who 'd never learned to spell . Many historians say John Quincy Adams/Andrew Jackson contest the nastiest .
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson ran negative presidential campaigns . Adams was labeled a fool , a hypocrite , a criminal , and a tyrant , . He lost the election to James Madison by only about 50,000 votes in 1800 ( which is why he didn't run again ). Many historians say John Quincy Adams/Andrew Jackson contest the nastiest .