Apparently the smear campaigns have already begun. I thought they usually saved them for closer to the election, but hay! everything changes.

What do you think about them?

They are dreadful. They say more about the person behind them than they do about the target.

I just like to have the facts. Everyone has dirt that can be dug up on them, I just want the dirt without the smearing, so to speak. I can figure it out for myself, thanks.

__________________
Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Hate them!!

Our local elections were just horrible this year. All we heard were the bad things the other candidate did or didn't do. No one told us what THEY themselves would do for us.

It got to the point where we'd switch the channel till the commercial was over.

I want the candidates to tell us what they will do for us.

I'm just wondering if everyone hates them why do they work?

They work because they hit candidate's most precious asset....... his reputation.

Most of us will vote for a candidate we like and respect, even if we don't agree with him on every issue. But if you can cripple a voter's trust in a candidate, you can probably turn their vote.
All campaigns do extensive research into their opponent's voting record and personal life. This so-called "oppo research" involves searching databases, combing through press clips, and asking questions of people who know (and preferably dislike) your opponent. It's not hard to turn up something a candidate would rather not see on the front page of NY Times.

Its not always necessary for a smear to be true to be effective. The most effective smears are based on a hint of truth and applied in a way that exploits a candidate's political weakness.

__________________
"Madison AnnMarie " 6/13/2008

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=8652d1ea.pbr

http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...t=adbcb309.pbr

Oh I know exactly what you are saying...but how many of us who say we don't like smear campaigns will end up voting for someone who's done that? I guess what I am saying is if we all gave our vote to a candidate who doesn't use smear tacts wouldn't that help put a stop to them? I know that's pie in the sky thinking but wouldn't it be nice?

I don't like 'em......but everyonce in a while I will hear one that mentions something I didnt know about a candidate.

__________________
"You can never really pay back. You can only pay forward."

Wayne Woodrow “Woody” Hayes

O-H-I-O

I hate them also. I think they are their words taken out of context, but they do seem to stay in your mind. Kinda the what if? scenario.