Depends on how one interprets Robert Bork's confirmation hearings. A lot of Democrats were unwilling to forgive him for what he did during Watergate, firing Cox during the 'Saturday Night Massacre', but it was the unconcealed glee which George Mitchell showed in the result which sticks out in my memory. Given how Bill Bradley worked with Republicans on the 1986 tax reform act, it sure didn't seem to me the partisan divide was poisonous the year before Bork's hearings.

From my perspective, today's poisonous partisan divide began with Bork. It was nasty during Watergate, but that was far more focused on Nixon the man than on Republicans generally.

GAWD, what would the Senate be like today if there were one Republican like Howard Baker? Romney ain't bad, but he's a Black Swan Republican these days. Or will I get cancelled for that?