The Kerry campaign alone has aired almost as many negative ads in addition to this half-negative convention.
Of course Estrig and other lefty commentators will not mention the moveon.org and other 527 ads and the psycotic speeches, and the leftist books coming out, and the moore movie. The candidacy founded on hatred will have more negative ads.
The fact of the matter is that negative ads work. Some of the greatest, most effective ads in my memory are negative ads. Lyndon Johnson and the nuclear bomb ad. Reagan and the bear in the woods ad. The Willie Horton ad. All effective. And good Lord, what an inviting target John Kerry makes!