This video from the Pioneer Press begs the question: Does Coleman have a conscience? After hearing Norm state his approval for some of the most venomous attack ads of his opponent, the Democratic candidate Al Franken, that I've ever seen, it's a strange sight to see him decry the mudslinging techniques that have seemingly been the cornerstone of his campaign. Coleman attack ads have accused Franken of tax evasion, writing pornography, laughing at rape, having an uncontrollable temper, and much more, in an overtly vitriolic campaign strategy that has exemplified the ugly side of politics.

Franken's ads have begun responding to Coleman's ads, citing accusations lifted out of context in their original form. The back-and-forth ad onslaught from both parties has actually benefited Independence Party candidate Dean Barkly because people are seemingly sick of the constant bashing taking place on the airwaves. It's been an interesting and downright dirty year for politics.

After announcing his discontinuation of his firmly established snake-oil campaign techniques on Friday, one wonders if Coleman actually feels bad about all this. This announcement comes on the very same day that John McCain visited Lakeview, Minnesota, where he called for his supporters to "be respectful" of his opponent Barack Obama, despite calling him so callously in the very-recent debates, "That One". Like Coleman, McCain has tagged his name on some of the most flagrant negative ads this country has ever seen, connecting Obama to everything from hating troops to terrorism.

Are Coleman and McCain finally feeling the negative response to their unbridled negativity? Both candidates polls are significantly lower than their opponents, and many have cited their attack ads as the reason. But the reason Coleman and McCain run such negative campaigns is because they have no other legs to stand on. They have no other ways to drum up support for their campaign than to diminish the other guy, because their policies are simply not what's right for the country. Where are they going to go from here, I wonder?