Looking for synonyms for political shenanigans

[Baitball Blogger]

Not too long ago I read a comment from a Republican who recognized the egregious wrong-doing that had taken place prior to the election. He said, (and I paraphrase) "At first I thought it was the regular political ______________...., but this is more serious."

I meant to bookmark that post because it was a lucid moment realizing that our esteem Senators on the right felt that some dirty pool was okay. So, what words come to mind that might have been used in Mark Twain's era to describe political shenanigans?

[ProudLib72]

1. skullduggery? nt

[Baitball Blogger]

3. This one is setting off the memory synapsis.

[wishstar]

2. "Gamesmanship" is often used to describe political machinations involving psychological trickery

[LaydeeBug]

4. tom foolery

[Wounded Bear]

5. Ratfucking?

That's an old Nixon adage.

[leftstreet]

6. Jugglery

[Tanuki]

7. Jiggery-pokery?

[Cirque du So-What]

8. Chicanery

Too anachronistic?

[democratisphere]

9. CORRUPTION