How much of the so called negative advertising of political opponents actually help the opposition?

Question

For instance, currently there is negative adds going out on Palin and Obama. Do these adds backfire and actually help the target rather than hurt? A week ago no one knew who Palin was. Does all this stuff help her name ID?

Answer 1

Negatives ads aimed ONLY at very narrow  (sorry 43% of voters) category of people who can not think  independently. It has no affect on people with strong mind and will.