The old USSR attempted to influence US (and many other nations) elections as soon as it had enough stability to organize its political forces.
This is absolutely nothing new but simply a continuation of efforts that have gone on for many tens of years.

That few have bothered to even not some of these antics is almost amusing.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. ”
     George Santayana, Life of Reason, Reason in Common Sense,
     Scribner's, 1905, page 284 

The Dems need to just keep on slogging on.

Desperation has its own special stench.

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. 
Napoleon Bonaparte