Brunner's negative attack ads turning off voters

The Missouri Primary is August 7th, and we are being inundated with political mail, campaign ads on t.v. and email blasts in our inboxes. One candidate's ads are garnering a bit more attention then others, though.


United States Senate candidate John Brunner has launched a series of attack ads against his opponents and fellow Republicans Todd Akin and Sarah Steelman. The ads are negative and offer little information on what Mr. Brunner plans to do if elected, and as one local media outlet put it "Not entirely accurate." I find these types of ads particularly disdainful.


First, those who are involved in politics know that the frequent and vicious attack ads are indicative of a candidate's fear of losing and lack of confidence in their own campaign. Most people see right through attack ads, and turn a deaf ear when ads of this nature air on television. Additionally, the voting public does not want to hear all of the terrible things a candidate claims their opponent has done. They want to hear what a candidate will do for them, what they will do to make the lives of citizens better and why they are qualified to hold the office they are seeking.


Also, attack ads like the ones Brunner has put out only validate the belief by many that there is a great deal of in fighting within the Republican party. I understand that Brunner's attack ads are preceding a primary, but he should be running on his own merits in order to be victorious in the primary race, rather than attacking his fellow Republicans. Any mudslinging at all should be kept minimal., but should most definitely be reserved for the general election.


I would encourage Brunner (and any other candidate perpetrating negative attack ads) to back off of the attacks on members of his own party and focus on informing voters what he is going to accomplish if elected.
At a time when our country's history is at stake, we cannot be attacking other within our party. Now is the time for Republicans to band together, support one another, and focus on a victory in November!