In 1884, James G. Blaine, the "plumed knight" of the Republican Party, was nominated for president, even though he had been implicated in a financial scandal. The Democrats responded by nominating Cleveland, a national symbol of "clean" government. Blaine was pilloried as corrupt and arrogant. Then Cleveland was accused of fathering a child out of wedlock. He did not refute the charge. It was an outlandish campaign.
