No negative TV ads, but race got nasty anyway.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), March, 2004 | by Krol, Eric

Byline: Eric Krol Daily Herald Political Writer This time, the U.S. Senate race was supposed to be cleaner. New federal campaign reforms were in place that all but assured those vicious TV ads with the ominous music were a thing of the past. If candidates wanted to attack an opponent, they'd have to allow their own face and voice to appear at the end of the ad, risking a voter backlash.

And to be sure, with two days left until Tuesday's primary, there have been no negative TV ads in virtually the entire state. But that hasn't prevented the Senate contest from devolving into a two-ring circus with divorce allegations and drug use. The 15- candidate contest also has had enough bizarre moments to fill three campaigns. "When you're dealing with sex lives...