Politics is a filthy business. New technology provides the mudslingers added opportunities to ply their disgusting trade, as a news story from Ohio illustrates.
In a story datelined from Cincinnati, The Associated Press reported recently that President Barack Obama's campaign is using the Internet to solicit stories about Sens. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. Both men have been named as potential running mates for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
In Ohio, a website form seeks "need to know" information about Portman. In Florida, a site asks for the "good, bad and ugly" on Rubio.
Count on anything good about the senators being consigned to a computer trash bin. Clearly, the idea is to dig up dirt about Portman and Rubio, in preparation for a smear campaign.
We're not naive enough to think that this is the first time such tactics have been employed, nor would we believe that Republicans haven't engaged in similar practices through the years. But that doesn't mean we can't be disappointed.
Technology brings many benefits to our lives on a daily basis. What a shame it continues to be used in the slimy end of political campaigning.