This I fear too. It's been my observation that big ugly attacks like this seem to work. Everyone says it will backfire but the media knows better.
it may not be so bad... i remember when Bush blew his first debate with Kerry... he ended up winning according to the public... and the same thing with his first debate with Gore... he didn't blow it, but the media thought Gore won... the public didn't, and that threw Gore off in the next debate... the media thinks they know better... but they are out of touch...