There are two schools of thought among folks who run political campaigns. One says that voters read and think, just not enough. The other school assumes that voters don't read, can't think for themselves, and is glad about it. (People who think Michael Moore produces documentaries and that Al Gore invented the Internet are proof that there's merit in the second school of thought.) As a result there are two types of political (hit-piece) mailers. One reminds voters of information - usually having appeared in media - that they may have overlooked (or ignored). The other distorts or invents facts to slander the opponent. Depending on which side of the aisle you sit, you likely believe that it's the other guys who distort the facts because yours is the side of Truth, Justice and the American Way. Unless, of course, you're a Progressive then it's Truth, Justice and the Marxist Way. One more thing. If a candidate calls for an end to mud-slinging it means that they have a comfortable lead in the polls. No doubt, as result of the success of their own hit-piece mailers.