Sis: Smear Campaigns Often Backfire

Sisyphus: Smear campaigns almost always backfire. They are sign that the challenger can’t make headway otherwise and have to gain publicity in unorthodox ways. But in so doing they have to bring up something scandalous which often reflects most poorly on the challenger. Any nervousness on the part of Kennedy should be overcome by the desperation disclosed by using the tactic. I expect Kennedy will win in a landslide.

Question: If what Sisyphus says is right, why do so many political campaigns resort to mud-slinging? I suspect that it has some effect. What do you think?