Lyndon Johnson simply was exasperated. Barack Obama's mischief was methodical.
Four days before the 1966 congressional elections, Johnson, asked about criticism from Richard Nixon, testily responded: "I do not want to get into a debate ... with a chronic campaigner like Mr. Nixon." Johnson's disparagement endeared Nixon to Republican voters, thereby propelling him toward the presidency.
Four days before Saturday's South Carolina primary, Obama improved Donald Trump's standing with Republicans by volubly deploring him and cannily placing him in the Republican mainstream: "He says in more interesting ways what the other [Republican] candidates are saying." Not exactly.