Do you think evidence of personal animus between candidates helps or hurts the GOTV?

[Stinky The Clown]

Here in Maryland, there is clear and obvious personal animus between gubernatorial contenders ex-Gov Ehrlich (R) and incumbent Gov O'Malley (D). Clear animus. These two guys hate each other's guts. This is the third time they've faced each other in this very race. Ehrlich won the first round, O'Malley the second, and now this third contest. Their words have gotten more bitter with each contention.

My own personal feelings as I watch their debates and hear them interviewed is that I so dislike Ehrlich I will be voting against him more than I will be voting for O'Malley. I like O'Malley and would vote for him in any case, but my antipathy toward Ehrlich overshadows my support for O'Malley. I relate all this simply to set the stage for the discussion.

Does candidate animus help to get people out to vote?