We have just seen how much PAC money and attack ads can influence an election. Romney's PAC spent twice as much as Gingrich and spent it on really rough attack ads. The result was the decimation of Newt. The supremes say this is all legal, but is it what's good for America?

For those of you on the far right that tend to support the concept that money is free speech think about this - Obama will have roughly a billion dollars to spend. Do you want to see that spent attacking the Republican nominee? You can bet he watched what Romney did in Iowa and took notes.

IMHO we need publicly financed campaigns or some sort of limit on PAC spending.

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...and Obama has enough money to poke many eyes right out the back of their heads...not to say that whomever finally wins the Clownfest won't get all the PAC money consolidated and do the same thing.

Fish on...

Todd

I don't like the current system of PACs, but its not likely to change, absent a constitutional ammendment. What should be interesting as both sides sling heaps of mud and BS at each other over the TV how that will impact the debates. Could be a fist fight or two this go around.

One of the many problems with big PAC mudslinging IMHO, is that no matter who wins the American people will have watched hours upon hours of attacks on their character, their ability to govern and their policies. The result is a significant minority of the populace truly turned off by whoever the winner may be. It’s hard for any president to pull us together when we are so fractured by the electoral process.

In this instance the big PAC attacks stopped Gingrich in his tracks, but he is now pissed off and has vowed to work for what he sees as “true” republicans. This is good news for Obama but probably not for America.

I'll start watching TV again after Veteran's Day.

Anybody who is swayed by attack ads is a mental midget.

I tend to agree but you have just defines a huge percentage of America. We know the ads work . . . .

1 out of 5 Americans think the President is a Muslim, ya they work.

Yup. When folks with a lot of money invest heavily in something, you can bet they aren't doing it on a blind whim.

Ugly strikes one in three; stupid three in five. Prey on both, and you'll make a killing.

Another reason to be pissed off at politicians just occurred to me:

We've all squirmed just a little bit when being asked the classic interview question, "Why should I hire you?", yet we all learn how to provide a winning answer over time. When asked why we should vote for them, politicians just say, "Cuz I'm better than the other guy. He steals candy from babies." Then they get the job. Not fair.