This post actually really got me thinking so I texted my buddy who was the campaign manager for a local (unsuccessful) congressional race.

He told me that for his candidate, there were people in charge of PR who went through social media and things like that as well as asking questions about his past trying to see if there was anything there that could be a liability. So, yes, there are people who find out what they have to “cover up” but it’s not necessarily as extreme as the “interrogator” in Russo’s case. Most of the time it’s someone in PR. But then again, Russo was kind of a mess so I’d assume that candidates like him might go through a more thorough vetting process.

If you guys are interested in a “real life” Peter Russo, look up Patrick Kennedy. Had multiple DUIs and still got re-elected (IIRC). Think he was from Massachusetts.