Published: September 17, 2008 10:31 am         

Many people tired of attack ads

With the presidential campaigns of John McCain and Barack Obama kicking into high gear for the last 47 days before the election, it seems as though both have forgotten their promises to avoid the usual mudslinging tactic so often seen in the race for the White House.

Commercials from the Democratic candidate slam McCain for a lack of computer skills, a lack of connection with the people and a penchant for voting in favor of the current president. On the other side, cries of inexperience and fame-mongering are leveled at Obama.

With the end of the campaign close at hand, local residents are tired of the negative rhetoric.

“I think it’s gotten a little bit tedious in discussion not of issues but rather of appearances,” Josiah Metzler of Goshen said. “I’d rather see them talk about more political issues and things more relevant to average Americans.”

New Paris resident Diane Wynn agrees.

“I think we need to focus more on the issues and less on personal lives. I care more about what they are going to do and less about what the other guy isn’t. There’s too much mudslinging,” Wynn said.

Anthony Schrader, a Chicago resident in town on assignment, isn’t sure what to think.

“Living in Chicago, I don’t really see the Republican side too much,” Schrader said. “Here, every yard I see a Barack Obama sign in, I see a McCain sign in the yard next door. The campaign is really confusing to me right now. I’m ready for the debates to be going on.”

Schrader graduated from Goshen High School before moving to Illinois.

Still other residents see the negative campaigning as more of the usual politicking present in every election.

“It doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been around long enough to know what’s happening in their presidential campaigns is what we can expect. I wish it was different. I wish we could have more legitimate debate on issues and their contrast of world views and not so many personal attacks,” Eldon Stoltzfus, Goshen, said.