The Democratic party has traditionally been the party of corruption,
as its more plebeian roots have appealed to various groups who have
been involved in corruption and organized crime. The Republicans,
on the other hand, have been 'corrupt' in non-traditional ways which
are more described as 'self serving.' The city bosses in San
Francisco at the turn of the 20th century were Dems, as were, if
I recall, those in New York.

Recall the Mafia stuff that swirled around Kennedy, as a result
partly of Sinatra's friendship.

Republicans, on the other hand, have tended to represent the
'haves,' and thus they served a wealthy, albeit legal, establishment.