How often have you heard lately TV commercials stating: “My name is — and I approve of this message.”

Is the message a positive or negative attack advertisement? The sort of ads a candidate uses also tells you something about the man who approves these ads. Is there a message here?

A few days ago I set out a pad of paper; the left half of the paper I labeled “Bush,” on the right half “Kerry.” Below each candidate’s name I made two columns: one for positive ads, and the other for negative ads.

Every time one of those political ads appears on the television, I make a tally in the appropriate column. I have only tallied 20 ads so far, but I have been surprised by how markedlydifferent the candidates are.

I encourage everyone to make a tally, and then decide which candidate is taking the high campaign road and who is taking the low road in the race to be elected.

Which type of man do you want as president?

Fred Otto

Orono