Political Ads: It's Getting Really Nasty Out There

[Elmore Furth]

The best defense is a good offense and political candidates are really getting offensive. Fortunately, there is a long history in America of nasty political fights so it is hard to be shocked any more

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 12, 2010
Filed at 5:39 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) — Is anybody fit for office any more? A Florida congressman casts his foe as a religious extremist, "Taliban Dan." A challenger in West Virginia stresses a lawmaker's Arab-American ancestry as shadowy and foreign. Other candidates are nothing but liars, misers, cheaters, even traitors, judging by the 30-second TV attacks.

Deep-pocketed independent political groups are making the 2010 election homestretch the most scathing in years. In the frantic final days before the voting, a blitz of negative ads is hitting the air in more than two dozen tight congressional races.

The ads warn that candidates who say they're on your side actually care more about Arabs or illegal immigrants — take your pick — than about you. And the other guy seeking your vote? Why, he'll simply make stuff up to get it.

In the past month, candidates, the political parties and outside groups have purchased millions of dollars in commercial time. Of the resulting ads, 60 percent have assailed candidates for their stands on issues or for their character, according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group, which monitors such advertising.

Political Ads: It's Getting Really Nasty Out There