The Dartmouth Beacon

YES:

Campaigning is like grade school. Does a given commercial portray a candidate as a name-calling whiner who hogs the playground all to himself, or as a fiery captain for a game of pick-up soccer? Does a given speech portray a candidate as a presenter of a diligently researched book report who can keep the class's attention and teach them something new, or as a kid who played video games late into the night and then hastily scribbled something on the bus?

Most campaigning entails some negativity: One candidate is seeking to show how his strengths compare to the other's weaknesses—why the other is less fit to govern. Sadly, most of the campaigning I see—from both Republicans and Democrats—takes the easy road of petty, dramatized, redundant insults. That these smart, talented, hard-working candidates for some reason feel that they must lower themselves to the level of the bullies and slackers from 2nd grade is a testament to the sad state of the modern political process. Childish, simpleminded negative campaigning from both parties insults my role as a thoughtful voter. But hey, at least I’m not whining about it.

By TYLER STAHL '05

NO:

So we all know negative campaigning has been a factor in American politics since the founding of country. In fact, today’s political skirmishes are quite tame when compared to most periods in our history. Presently, however, Americans seems to be lashing out at negative politics, or “going negative.” Negativity in politics often gets much of the blame for the disinterest and apathy that many Americans show towards politics.

Politicians will use this backlash often in attempts to get sympathy points from the public by accusing their opponent of personal attacks. I do not support this backlash against negativity in politics. First of all, if everybody really hated it as much as the pundits think they do then negative politics would backfire and hurt the candidate that utilized negative techniques. But time and again we see that negative campaigning works. I think this is because we as a nation want to see contrast and even a little conflict, and negative campaigning provides that. And to those who think that the public and private areas of politicians’ lives are separated and that their private lives really don’t matter, I must respectfully disagree. My elected official represents me and I do care about their character, both publicly and privately.

So bring it on—negative and positive! I can sift out nuggets of truth from of the sands and gravel of spin and come to the right decision. Can you?

By BEN HUNT '04