Negative Attacks

Lugar's Loss: America's Wake-Up Call

Paul Helmke | Posted 05.17.2012

Read More: Gop, Congress, U.S. Senate, Bi-Partisanship, Ronald Reagan, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, Campaign Ads, Elections 2012, Richard Mourdock, Republican Primary, Democrats, Attack Ads, Obama Campaign, Richard Lugar, Politics News
Paul Helmke

Sen. Richard Lugar's loss in the Indiana Republican primary last week raises a number of troubling issues about the current state of politics and the future of governance in our country.

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The Future of American Politics

Michael J. O'Neil | Posted 05.28.2012

Read More: Republican Primary, Michigan Primary 2012, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Arizona Primary 2012, Money in Politics, Negative Ads, Presidential Election, Newt Gingrich, Wisconsin Primary, Citizens United, Barack Obama, Politics News
Michael J. O'Neil

The 2012 campaign for the Republican nomination for president has provided a clear indication of the shape of post-Citizens United politics in America.

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Go Positive!

Michael Roth | Posted 04.02.2012

Read More: Critical Thinking, Wesleyan Media Project, Presidential Debates, Republican Primaries, Michael S. Roth, Negative Attacks, memory_trauma_and_history, College News
Michael Roth

I'm embarrassed to say that one of the key places where candidates and citizens acquire a taste for -- and skills in -- negativity is higher education. For decades now, we have promoted a culture of criticism in which you show how smart you are by tearing apart somebody else's ideas.

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Why Some Attack Ads Work and Others Fail

Eli Lehrer | Posted 03.09.2012

Read More: Rick Santorum, Republican Primary, George Allen, Advertising, Barack Obama, Negative Attacks, Gingrich Attack Ad, Political Ads, Romney Attack Ad, Santorum Attack Ad, Attack Ads, Politics News
Eli Lehrer

Why do some negative attacks stick -- even when they're dishonest -- and others roll off even when they're largely accurate?

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Political Vitriol and Its Consequences for Democracy

Geoffrey R. Stone | Posted 02.28.2012

Read More: Elections 2012, Barack Obama, 2012 Election, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, Politics News
Geoffrey R. Stone

The tenor and tone of certain factions' assault on the president of the United States should disturb all Americans. It is, to say the least, unseemly. Of course, we cherish the right to free speech. But having the right to do something does not mean one should actually do it.

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Jon Ward

'Positive' Newt Gingrich Sounds Increasingly Angry

HuffingtonPost.com | Jon Ward | Posted 12.21.2011

Read More: Iowa, Video, Newt Gingrich 2012, 2012 Election, Negative Attacks, Super PACs, Mitt Romney 2012, Elections 2012, Iowa Caucuses, Mitt Romney, Republican Presidential Primary, Negative Ads, Newt Gingrich, Restore Our Future, Campaign Advertising, Politics News

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Newt Gingrich is staying positive. Really. The former House speaker from Georgia, who cannot compete with Mitt Romney's campaig...

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Paul Blumenthal

You Won't Be Able To Escape Attack Ads In 2012

HuffingtonPost.com | Paul Blumenthal | Posted 12.12.2011

Read More: Super Pac, Video, Michele Bachmann, Advertising, Negative Attacks, John Kerry, Ron Paul, Elections 2012, Political Ads, Lyndon Johnson, Claire McCaskill, Attack Ads, American Crossroads, Barack Obama, Campaign Finance, Politics News

WASHINGTON -- If you turned on the radio in Missouri over the summer, you may have heard ads attacking Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) for her support o...

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Is Mail Balloting A Mistake? Are We Missing Critical Information

Aaron Harber | Posted 09.04.2011

Read More: Negative Ads, Aaron Harber, The Aaron Harber Show, Negative Attacks, Michael Hancock, Negative Campaigning, Politics News
Aaron Harber

One argument against mail balloting is the vast majority of voters cast their ballots prior to Election Day and, therefore, they miss the opportunity to change their minds

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How to Repair a Damaged Online Reputation

Dorie Clark | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Google, Linkedin, Information, Tweet, Online Reputation, Negative Attacks, Online, Reputation Management, Twitter, Youtube, Crisis Communications, Facebook, Technology News
Dorie Clark

What can you do if your online reputation has been damaged, whether by others or your own mistakes? Here are four strategies to hasten your comeback.

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Tucson Demonstrates It Is Time for Real Change

Aaron Harber | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Politics of Personal Destruction, Tucson, Democracy, Media, Aaron Harber, Democrats, Democratic Party, Politics, Television, Giffords, Harber, Negative Attacks, Media Criticism, Breaking Politics News, Republican Party, Republicans, Politics News
Aaron Harber

A new way to communicate? It is time for a change -- and while it needs to be led by both parties, the real responsibility lies with every individual...

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Political Campaigns -- It's Time for a Change

Ed Gurowitz, Ph.D. | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Positive Psychology, Campaigning, Fearmongering, Fear, Midterm Elections, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, 2008 Campaign, Attack Ads, Politics News
Ed Gurowitz, Ph.D.

We have a short breather until the run-up to the next elections in 2012. Let's demand that our politicians run on the issues.

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Wing-Nut Tea

Susan L. Travis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Politics of Fear, Fearmongering, Fear, Lying, Republican, Community, Republican Party, Integrity, Republicans, Systems-Thinking, Ignorance, Stupidity, Tea Party Protests, Teabaggers, Tea Parties, Disinformation, Tea Party Movement, Critical Thinking, Tea Baggers, Education Reform, Tea Party, Tea, Responsibility, Msm Immaturity, Corporations, Negative Attacks, Politics News
Susan L. Travis

These are interesting and difficult times for all Americans, though the predicament of our Republican brothers and sisters bears special reflection.

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Could Newsom Become the Phil Angelides of 2010?

Paul Hogarth | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Garry South, Janice Hahn, Gavin Newsom, Abel Maldonado, Negative Attacks, California Politics, Lieutenant Governor, Phil Angelides, Los Angeles News
Paul Hogarth

Mayor Gavin Newsom has entered the race for Lieutenant Governor, a job he ridiculed while running for Governor -- and his supporters include San Franciscans who figure it's an opportunity to get rid of him.

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Dear Conservatives: Break Some Liberal Hearts. Vote Obama.

David Quigg | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: John McCain, Ronald Reagan, Peggy Noonan, Bobby Jindal, Andrew Sullivan, Mitt Romney, Conservatism, Barack Obama, Politics News, Meg Whitman, Conservatives, Condoleezza Rice, Bill Kristol, Negative Attacks, Sarah Palin, Smears, Tim Pawlenty, Socialism, Election 2008, Carly Fiorina, Politics News
David Quigg

No group in America would have more trouble adjusting to an Obama presidency than the Bush Liberals. Yes, there really is such a thing as a Bush Liberal. Let me explain.

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If Only Obama Agreed To McCain's "Town Hall" Meetings

Joseph A. Palermo | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Joe the Plumber, John McCain Attack Ads, Negative Ads, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, Politics News
Joseph A. Palermo

McCain sticks to his absurd story that it was Obama who forced him to embark on one of the most fiercely negative campaigns in history.

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I Am Professor Khalidi (Why John McCain Doesn't Get to Pick My Halloween Costume)

David Quigg | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Palestine, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, John McCain, Columbia University, Barack Obama, Xenophobia, Negative Attacks, Smears, Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, Academic Freedom, Israel, Rashid Khalidi, Politics News
David Quigg

Khalidi is a big-time professor. Which is to say that, until quite recently, he was someone most of us had never heard of. But then John McCain picked Professor Khalidi's new Halloween costume.

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What the Bottom Falling Out Looks Like in Texas

Rachel Farris | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Texas, Obama Negative Attacks, Rural Voters, Attack Ads, Barack Obama, Negative Attacks, Negative Campaigning, Home News
Rachel Farris

Imagine my surprise yesterday when I received a scanned copy of an attack ad against Democrat Donnie Dippel, featuring a con artist-cropped version of my own copyrighted photo, showing Dippel posing with my Obama license plates.

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Growing Up Right -- Learning Political Lessons From the 'Rents

Bill Hoversten-Davis | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Election 2008, Offthebus, Billy Graham, Communism, John Birch Society, Knott's Berry Farm, John McCain, Dirty Politics, Children, Negative Attacks, Raising Children, Barack Obama, Home News
Bill Hoversten-Davis

My strict but loving parents instilled notions of religion, ethics, obedience, good citizenship -- and politics. Early on, I learned right was right and left was wrong.

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McCain: Stop Sh**ing; Get Off Pot

Robert S. McElvaine | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Robin Hayes Liberals Hate Real Americans, Opinion Polls, John McCain, Michele Bachmann, Mel Martinez, Barack Obama, Negative Attacks, Robin Hayes, Politics News
Robert S. McElvaine

The only positive thing that is still within your reach is not victory in the election; it is salvaging your honor and helping your country.

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Country First?

Peter Clothier | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Nationalism, John McCain, 2008 Election, Negative Attacks, Xenophobia, Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Politics News
Peter Clothier

"Country first" is precisely the wrong slogan for a twenty-first century political campaign, and one that sends precisely the wrong message to the rest of the world.

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Sarah Palin: A Spiritual Thermometer

Eli Davidson | Posted 11.17.2011

Read More: Acceptance, Eli Davidson, Negative Attacks, Sarah Palin, The Inner Life, Healthy Living News
Eli Davidson

The hair on the back of my neck stands up straight as a Polar bear looking for her cub anytime I hear Sarah talkin'. So, what if I could use her to become a more compassionate person?

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No Excuse For Dirty Politics

Chuck Lasker | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Barack Obama 2008, John McCain Attack Ads, John McCain, John McCain 2008, Negative Attacks, McCain Palin, Cindy McCain, Negative Campaigning, Barack Obama, Dirty Politics Palin, Home News
Chuck Lasker

It is better to lose a presidential campaign than to lose your honor, integrity, dignity, pride and reputation. It's truly an amazing concept, I know, to use these words when talking about a campaign in this post-Rove world.

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Ooh, That Smell: McCain and His Mob Waltz with Death

Pete Cenedella | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: John McCain, Mccain Angry Mob, Negative Attacks, Ohio, Traitor, Rally, Violence, Pennsylvania, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Socialists, Politics News
Pete Cenedella

What's happening at these McCain-Palin rallies is a series of convulsions and spasms no less primordial than those we make at the end of life -- a kind of death dance.

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Going Beyond the Pale-in: (Character) Assassination

Robert S. McElvaine | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: Assassination, John McCain, Lee Atwater, Barack Obama, Karl Rove, Sarah Palin, Dirty Politics, Negative Attacks, Palin Winking, McCain Campaign, 2008 Election, Politics News
Robert S. McElvaine

When does character assassination cross the line and begin to encourage physical assassination?

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Et Tu, Senator McCain?

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. | Posted 05.25.2011

Read More: John McCain, John McCain Attack Ads, Negative Attacks, Bill Ayers, McCain Campaign, Obama Ayers, Mccain Attacks, William Ayers, Obama Jeremiah Wright, Jeremiah Wright, 2008 Election, Politics News
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

What's most troubling about the McCain camp's desperate decision to attack on Sen. Obama is that they understand the nastiness, the pettiness, the just-plain-wrongness of what they're doing.

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