Saw this video on youtube. Pretty sophisticated stuff, it required thought and unfortunately it is emblematic of the attitude towards politicians in the United States. There is no need for this kind of thing and it makes me wonder if you get elected after this kind of campaigning is put into the public domain, are you damaged? I mean, in reality it is necessary for the public to have confidence in their elected representatives. If they have been castigated and attacked in an ad hominum manner, then is this confidence going to be affected?

You don’t have to agree with a politician and in fact, you should maintain a healthy scepticism of all politicians, however, personal attacks, suggestions of autocracy, big brother mentality, etc. is gone beyond the realm of robust interaction.

That this video comes from a supporter of Obama (might not be, I don’t know for sure) is not making me think good thoughts about Barak Obama - and this is a big danger associated with negative campaigning, you bolster support for your opponent. Also, there are currently about 20 candiates in the running for the Presidential election in 2008, so would it not be better for any Democrats to focus on the Republican candidates, rather than trying to damage the person who is likely to be the candidate for your own party?

I know that the first hurdle for Obama is currently the nomination from his own party and this explicitly makes Hiliary his direct opponent. However, why try to damage in the public mind a person from your own side?

It is not something that is common in Ireland, the closest thing I can think of is the comment from Albert Reynolds camp in 1992 about Bertie Ahern and how it was certain where Reynolds would be sleeping at night. Mild by comparison, but enough at that time for Bertie to feel that if he went ahead with his attempt to be elected that he would be damaged.

There is a little discussion of the video on The Independent website here.