As NH Blitz Begins, So Do Attack Ads

Round two looks nastier already. As the presidential candidates swarm New Hampshire, a more aggressive wave of attack ads—from outside groups and the candidates themselves—is evident, the Washington Post reports. Labor and teacher unions, along with anti-tax and pro-life groups, have spent $4 million in recent months on mailings and phone calls, taking advantage of a change in campaign finance law.

McCain is pilloried for his refusal to take a tax pledge, Obama on his health care plan, and Clinton for her abortion record. With candidates' time crunched in the shortened primary schedule, such ads may play a big role in shaping images, the Post notes. "Our members have as much a right as Oprah Winfrey does to participate in the process," said a rep of one Edwards-backing union. (More attack ad stories.)