The speed and the anonymity of communication made possible by modern technologies like the Internet have increased public awareness of whisper campaigns and their ability to succeed.
Whisper campaigns are defended in some circles as an efficient mechanism for underdogs who lack other resources to disclose wrongdoings of the powerful without repercussions.
Whisper campaigns in the United States began with the conflict between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson as both were vying for the 1800 presidential election.
Voters in South Carolina were reportedly asked in a push poll, "Would you be more likely or less likely to vote for John McCain if you knew that he fathered an illegitimate black child?".
[1] In addition, on the week of the nomination vote, dozens of radio stations were inundated with calls on this topic, and talk show hosts were asked what they thought of McCain's fathering of a black child out of wedlock.