Discuss Larry J. Sabato's Nov. 4 Op-Ed article

Try as he may, Mr. Sabato can't find a balance here between Democrats and Republicans. McCain's camp called Obama a Socialist and a terrorist sympathizer; they pushed rumors that Obama was born in Kenya, not 'like us, or a Muslim, until McCain, repulsed by what he had wrought, had to correct a supporter in public. Obama? Obama ran an ad insinuating that McCain is too old to be president. Look out, John! Don't give me that "both sides do it" line. This little history of smear tactics shows the huge advantage the GOP has in this department,(and it leaves out eight years of preposterous accusations against Bill Clinton.)

Tony Zito @ 3:56 AM PST, Nov 5, 2008

Human nature, maybe. Just because elections/ politics has always been that way, does not mean it should stay. This is the 21st century - we can ask ourselves to do better and I wish we would. We can do so much for ourselves, when we consider the other person and see our common thread. independent and i voted OBAMA/BIDEN '08!

swf49forObama @ 6:24 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

Negative campaigning has its place only when a)it is accurate b)relevant to being able to perform tasks being campaigned for c) relates only to the candidate or the candidate's party d)Not Hypocritical e) not inflamatory f)Is balanced with positive campaigning

luke weyland @ 4:25 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

Dirty politics have taken a back seat this year. People across the Nation, and here in Los Angeles, witnessed the death of real journalism.

Gary @ 3:50 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

it is not the person who should be attacked but the policies they represent. It is often a ploy to distract voters from what will happen should the policies be introduced. Now Mr Obama and Mt McCain are both respected gentlemen and as such they should be allowed to state their proposals but like most people Americans are more interested in gossip and by the time they realise what both men have stood for it is too late. Be wary that you lose sight of the overall objective. That is why myself personally votes for Party before candidate.

dennis poole @ 1:50 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

In an ideal world we would all get along, play fair and take care of one another. In the real world, however, world domination and trillions of dollars are up for grab--does anyone seriously believe the seekers will not do whatever it takes to win such prizes?

David Theiss @ 1:25 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

Any tactic that works will be used and untill it is deemed a useless tactic there will always be negative, misleading, and untruthful politics. I feel the more involved and educated the public is the less these tactics will be successfull.

Ernest Enock Davis II @ 1:15 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

"The 2004 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth campaign against John Kerry, saying that he lied to get Vietnam medals, was refuted." False.

sigh @ 1:05 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

As long as candidates who promote lies and negative ads against their opponents nets them votes, the practice will continue. An election cycle or two where the winners sling no mud might be enough to stop this practice.

Sierra @ 12:46 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

Over the years the media has picked who it wants proclaim heroes. During the Vietnam war the media helped create the impression that all soldiers and Marines in Vietnam were crazy and killed babies. It also projected (the great myth) that POW's somehow were super heroes, talking endlessly about how much they suffered. Many I remember were given automobiles’ as expressions of love from Americans for the POW. In John McCain case this kind of adulation has run its course. America is tired.

Archie Haase @ 12:30 PM PST, Nov 4, 2008

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