There was a time when to make such a personal charge would result in a duel with pistols at dawn. Now any and everything goes. In modem times this campaign tactic blossomed under Richard Nixon's tutelage and was written into Party gospel by Lee Atwater. We have seen a lot of it among Republican partisans in the Congress, so much so that we sense a certain fatigued reaction to it in the general electorate. In any case it is difficult to get away with this diversion without first finely establishing solid confidence in one's own character, as Senator McCain did.
Personal attacks invite trouble.
In sum, we are reminded of the case of Wendell Willkie in 1940. He was a great Republican, as subsequent events disclosed. But he lost the election because, despite all the campaigning, the people found him a stranger in the national arena and would not buy a pig in a poke, as compared to an experienced known quantity. We need high ground here, badly. All rights reserved.