Just when it looked as though the Presidential race was going to be a cordial and respectful one, the TV ads started flowing. Turn on the television and watch for an hour; you’ll likely see more than one message approved by McCain or Obama, a deep voice spouting off statistics that have likely been manipulated, or warning you about the other’s ties to terrorism or other scandalous affairs.

Negative campaigning is nothing new, and I suppose the candidates feel they cannot win without it, but such tactics simply make the rift between parties larger. These advertisements make the nation more and more polar, to the point that no matter who wins the election, half of the country will be extremely disappointed and angry.

          Both parties should seriously consider the consequences of their negative campaigns. For every voter that is converted after watching a negative campaign ad, there is another voter who becomes more disdained.