Willie Horton was first exposed by Al Gore in the Democrat primary. Then, the ads that ran in the general election were not run by the Bush campaign. They were run by a 3rd party.
OK, for arguments sake lets ask this related question. Would Romney stand by a controversial ad as George H.W. Bush did if it were run in his behalf by a third party? Its highly doubtful would he stand by it.
That’s what worries me right there. He needs to get over this and fight to win.