For one thing, lawmakers know that pinning a simplistic tag on an opponent is the surest way to win a political battle. Most legislation that comes before Congress is so complex that few voters will take the time to truly understand it. By exploiting the public's ignorance, politicians can create a bad image for a bill or a policy with a single, well-chosen negative term. Simplistic labeling also meets the needs of the media. With more than 500 lawmakers on Capitol Hill, reporters fall back on easy handles, even if they distort a legislator's record.
Many political analysts say no.
As much as it might make for colorful verbal combat, the labeling game tends to make compromise between the two political parties difficult. It also tends to feed cynicism about government in general, making it appear as if public officials are more interested in pulling off witty one-liners than in addressing the national interest.