Yes, it is. And you are preferring high mindedness to common sense.
You have to fight the fight according to the current customs.
Not too many posts on this thead so I'll respond to both here.
You and the other reply have a valid response. In the short run, these are the rules of the game. The problem I see is in the long run the negative ads that stretch the truth (considerably) have the effect of turning off voters.
I suppose you are right that I am caught up in looking for a more substantive level of discussion from candidates. Still not completely won over to your position.