negative campaigning

Due to the presidential election nearing closer, the candidates are becoming more and more competitive. Recently television ads regarding the candidates campaigns have been popping up regularly. Ads for the NRA ending with "defeat Obama" have made their appearance. And both McCain and Obama campaigns ads always announce something negative about the other candidate's plan of action and glamorize what they have planned for their future term, end with.."I'm _________ and I approve this message". I don't think this kind of campaigning is necessarily good..or bad I'm sort of on the fence in this situation.