To the Point
As Close Elections Go Down to the Wire, Campaigns Go Negative
With control of the House and the Senate too close to call, Republicans and Democrats are falling back on an American tradition: negative campaigning. There’s no doubt that it works, but does it have any other redeeming characteristics? Does it increase partisan mistrust that makes it harder to govern? Plus, Israel stage a retaliatory assault in Northern Gaza, and a Turkish intellectual is cleared of insulting Islam with remarks about 5000-year old Sumerian culture.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenWith control of the House and the Senate too close to call, Republicans and Democrats are falling back on an American tradition: negative campaigning. There’s no doubt that it works, but does it have any other redeeming characteristics?Does it increase partisan mistrust that makes it harder to govern?Plus, Israel stage a retaliatory assault in Northern Gaza, and a Turkish intellectual is cleared of insulting Islam with remarks about 5000-year old Sumerian culture.
In this episode
3 storiesDeath Toll Rising in Gaza after Israeli Raid
Israeli troops, tanks and helicopter gun-ships assaulted the northern Gaza Strip today to destroy rocket launchers that have struck Israel 300 times this year. Both Palestinian factions called the deaths of at least eight people a "massacre." We hear more about today's assault as well as response from Israeli and Palestinian officials.
Read the story6 minNegative Campaigns
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and other founding fathers exchanged personal insults and publicized each others' extramarital affairs. Lyndon Johnson all but accused Barry Goldwater of wanting a nuclear war. So it's no surprise that President Bush and Senator Kerry are at it again even though neither is on any ballots this year.
Read the story38 minTurkish Archeologist Acquitted of Insulting Muslim Women
A 92-year old Turkish archeologist has been cleared of insulting Muslim women and inciting religious hatred with remarks about ancient Sumerian priestesses, but she is only the latest Turkish intellectual to face such prosecution.
Read the story6 min
