[Will88]

When Newt first began to respond to the Mitt Super-Pac negative ads, I commented that if Newt decided to become his own hatchet man that it would hurt him with the voters. Mitt’s Super-Pac might have started the negative ads in a big way, but when Newt began to retaliate personally during the debates, that hurt him.

The reality seems to be that candidates can benefit from negative campaigning if done by others or in ads, but can be hurt if done by the candidate himself.

[Vigilanteman]

Excellent observation. I'm a big believer than logic, analysis and course correction always does more good than whining and hand-wringing.

Let me also correct the URL link to my main source on this piece which suggests solutions.

[Will88]

Most voters like tough, smart Newt. They’d don’t like mean, mad Newt.

[ari-freedom]

“When Newt first began to respond to the Mitt Super-Pac negative ads, I commented that if Newt decided to become his own hatchet man that it would hurt him with the voters. Mitt’s Super-Pac might have started the negative ads in a big way, but when Newt began to retaliate personally during the debates, that hurt him.”

It also contradicted his entire approach to previous debates which was to recognize that the media wanted to divert attention from Obama by getting candidates to attack each other.