EDITORIAL: Mudslinging gets worse as the campaign goes on

Prior to the party conventions, a relatively  short time ago, both candidates said they would not enter into a mudslinging contest. Each espoused the virtues of an issues-based campaign where voters would be able to focus on positions and platforms. That lasted about as long as the Huskers gridiron winning streak. If recent developments are any indication, the level of discourse by the campaigns will need to be rinsed off with a fire hose to remove the mud and grime being tossed by each side.

Gov. Sarah Palin has proven to be the proverbial pit bull with lipstick. Over the weekend she resurrected allegations about Barack Obama's Muslim heritage and inferring that he is aligned with "the enemy" overseas. Both attacks were dismissed in the primary campaigns, but have lived to see another round of usage. In addition, cloaked and coded language about Obama's race are stirring white voters who are not totally at peace with the possibility of a black president. Most of us also thought that the  Rev. Wright controversy had been put to sleep. Wrong.

On the other side of the fence, Democrats are trying to stir up old arguments of McCain's alleged poor judgment in the infamous Keating 5 savings and loan scandal. That issue was resolved over a decade ago and he was cleared of all charges. Attacks on Palin's gender and family situation are rampant on Internet blogs and e-mails. She also now has her own minister issue. The Saturday Night Live skits are regular staples of cable news network analysis.

With such side shows competing for the voters' attention, it is understandably hard for them to remain focused on the issues. One needs only to go back four years ago to see how the campaign can slide into the mud when various "swift boat" commercials distracted the electorate at a critical time in the campaign.

It is hard to tell how much control either campaign has on its supporters, many of whom are freely spreading rumors and lies on the Internet and in mass e-mails. When one starts to walk on that slimy ground, it is easy to slip deeper into the mud.

The innuendoes and veiled references of wrong doing are launched in each candidate's television commercials to rebut opponents' charges.  They spring up seemingly in minutes after a candidate launches another smear and drags the whole process into the swirling vortex of dirty politics.

Voters have repeatedly said they would not tolerate such antics, but little has been made of this opposition. In every survey, the electorate has vehemently cried out against negative campaigning.

The campaigns don't clean up, they just reload. It promises to only get worse. We see no cease fire in sight.