Funk and Wagnalls def. “Grifter n. US slang, a petty swindler
or confidence man; esp., one who operates a dishonest game
of chance at a carnival or circus. [ ?<grafter ]”
Quite often Americans are offered the chance to vote for a grifter,
no surprise there. However this time around, in reward for their
overwhelming cattle-like docility, they are given a choice
between two grifters.
I would also point out the analogy between our elections
and a circus. Islander