negative campaigning
Rival-bashing political strategy
Negative campaigning is political strategy focused on attacking an opponent rather than promoting one's own platform.
It includes highlighting a rival's voting record, personal history, or character flaws: The race devolved into negative campaigning on both sides.
While often criticized as divisive, it remains effective—voters remember attacks longer than policy proposals.
- opposition researchInvestigating adversaries for damaging information
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
- character assassinationDestroying someone's good name
- scandalsPublicized shameful acts
- October surpriseLast-minute campaign revelation
dark money · disinformation · misleading · dog whistle politics · astroturfing · attack ads · super PACs · smear · ad hominem · dirty tricks · push polling · hit pieces · vilification · defamation · accusations · inflammatory · political polarization · distortion
- smear tacticssmear, mudslinging, attack ads, hit piece, hit pieces
negative campaigningcivil discourse
Respectful exchange of views
bridge-building · consensus-building · fair play · bipartisanship
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