Most negative campaign in recent history
This article at the Washington Post provides an interesting perspective on the advertisements and speeches made by the Bush campaign/administration. For example:
Brown University professor Darrell West, author of a book on political advertising, said Bush’s level of negative advertising is already higher than the levels reached in the 2000, 1996 and 1992 campaigns. And because campaigns typically become more negative as the election nears, “I’m anticipating it’s going to be the most negative campaign ever,” eclipsing 1988, West said. “If you compare the early stage of campaigns, virtually none of the early ads were negative, even in ‘88.”
I think the net effect of a negative campaign will mean that voters just tune out.