Historically the Democrats benefit from a campaign based on insults, name calling and ad hominem. Historically the Republicans have always lost when running against Monica or whatever is the ad hominem of the moment.
Historically Republicans win when they run on Contract-with-America or on liberty vs socialized medicine or war vs surrender.
It will be interesting to see what each side does this time...and whether it is effective or not.
It's one thing when your opponents can roar. It's another when they can only bark, squeak, and squeal.