This just might be the most brutal attack ad we've seen all cycle: Incumbent GOP Senator Gordon Smith, who's locked in a tough reelection fight, has a new spot that accuses Dem opponent Jeff Merkley of conspiring to help a child rapist get released onto the streets.
Smith's dilemma is that he's a Republican seeking re-election a Democratic-leaning state that is highly likely to vote for Barack Obama. As such, his campaign tactics have veered back and forth between tying himself to Obama, or going extremely negative on Merkley.
And this other ad takes the attack up yet another notch, featuring one of the victims of the rapist in question.
video.......
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/09/gop_senator_accuses_opponent_o.php