Welcome to the world of politics.
I can assure you that the ability to be ruthless is what will separate the victors from the vanquished.
Do not welcome me to the world of politics. I have worked with and for politicians for decades. I know them well. And none of those for whom I worked ever sunk so low as to call names and very little rhetoric came from their campaigns. They are all respected and were/are successful and I am proud to have worked with them. I no longer do...but enjoyed the years I put in working with them.
I worked for Henry Bonilla for every term except the last one. I received a call from one of his campaign workers during that last campaign telling me he was going to start negative campaigning against his dem opponent. I said then, he will lose if he resorts to this. He did not need to do this. He was popular and well respected. He did..and he lost. Even though I had said he would, I was stunned when he did.