That ad was nothing IMO compared to what is coming. The Republicans are better at smear compaigns IMO. Just ask Max Cleland, again a triple amputee in Nam, who the Republican party called a traitor and weak on defense becuase he had the sand to question the Pres. of the U.S. on what now appears to be inaccurate intelligence. Moreover, I do not buy all this "Well - that is not W doing it, it is some other loosley realted organizations, etc." That is a load of crap. I cite W's lack of defense of Cleland or W's lack of any attempt to make them stop their attacks on him, call them false, etc. And W certainly was asked about it.
Note: the D's do the same thing - they are just not as effective at it.