Campaign ads are a sordid lot. \u00a0We all know this. \u00a0But how do we know when campaign ads have crossed the line from spin to outright dishonesty, from manipulative to exploitative and morally repugnant?<\/p>\n
A recent transplant from Boston to Atlanta, I have not lived in Georgia long enough to feel invested in the local politics. \u00a0I should care more than I do, since the local elections will influence the life I lead, but I tend to focus on national political issues.\u00a0Several recent ads, however, have truly disgusted me. \u00a0They raise again this issue: What are the ethical principles that govern political rhetoric? \u00a0When is it rhetoric as usual that we simply accept and shake our head at, and when is it so dishonest or unfair that it should not be tolerated?<\/p>\n
The candidates for Governor in Georgia are Republican Nathan Deal and Democrat Roy Barnes. \u00a0Neither is a political genius, as far as I can tell. \u00a0Roy Barnes was governor of Georgia once before, and everyone seems generally agreed that he did a mediocre job at best. \u00a0Nathan Deal is a businessman and a Congressman with some ethics complaints against him, but he has run a decent campaign and seems poised to win. \u00a0One recent poll suggests that his lead may be contracting.<\/p>\n
Roy Barnes\u2019 early ads were pathetic (as so many local political ads are) but within-bounds. \u00a0You never saw these kinds of ads in Boston, with a couple of hayseeds in flannel and exaggerated accents reflecting the opinions of the common man, but, well, whatever. \u00a0This is Georgia, after all:<\/p>\nhttp:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=4QmP31ov2Kc<\/a>\n Recently, however, as the clock ticks down to midnight and Barnes finds himself on the verge of losing the race, his ads have taken a darker turn. \u00a0Acts of desperation are often ugly \u2014 and these are, indeed, ugly. \u00a0Witness the following:<\/p>\n