Most voters blame the media for spreading the incendiary assaults and encouraging the mudslinging.
Four in five voters say that attack-oriented campaigning is unethical, undermines democracy, lowers voter turnout, and produces less ethical elected officials. A majority of Americans believes the honesty of politicians has declined in the past two decades. Bush claims McCain's proposal would hurt Republicans and help Democrats. The survey included interviews with 800 adults from Nov. 4-9. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.