Of course, despite the mudslinging, all parties have fun along the way.
They also accused the each other of starting the mudslinging, but Ms. Richards said her victory showed that Mattox's negative campaigning turned off voters.
Instead of elevating the debate above this counterproductive regional mudslinging, the Brady report has exacerbated the feuding and institutionalized among regulators the shaky theory that program trading causes excessive market volatility.
The current campaign was characterized by mudslinging, with little emphasis on proposals for resolving the country's tremendous problems caused by the war.
Since the takeover battle began in October, the paper giants have made promises and engaged in mudslinging to try to win the favor of Mainers.
A successful Clinton visit to the Middle East, including Syria, might not appear likely to sway many minds but any diversion from domestic mudslinging might be beneficial.
"I believe they also accuse us of mudslinging," he added to a chorus of laughter.
"Given where George Bush is in the polls, I think it's no surprise that he's chosen to spend his time mudslinging and tearing down," he said.
Democrat Ann Richards squelched millionaire Republican oilman Clayton Williams in Tuesday's gubernatorial race, a contest that set records for spending and mudslinging.
The company attacked the government's allegations as "reckless and baseless mudslinging," and said its management "promptly and accurately reported" to the Pentagon all relevant information about billing practices.
Williams' aides called the 30-second spot mudslinging and a sign of desperation.
Several sectors of society, principally the Roman Catholic church, harshly criticized the mudslinging that marked the ads.
Ms. Richards won the Democratic nomination on April 10 after a mudslinging runoff campaign in which her opponent, Attorney General Jim Mattox, accused her of using illegal drugs as recently as 10 years ago but offered no evidence.
Grunseth, in Rochester as part of a campaign swing around the state Saturday, warned that the current mudslinging could keep others from running for office.
Mrs. Whitmire accused her opponent of mudslinging and criticized his record as mayor.
The mudslinging is fueled by the partisan nature of Greece's mass media.
The Republican candidate for Arkansas attorney general says all campaign mudslinging isn't protected by the Constitution.