Just having finished watching the Pennsylvania Senate debate between Democrat Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey, I have to say that both succeeded in making this debate about extremism. When asked about specific topics or their own policies, they avoided answering and instead blame the opponent most of the time.

Sestak constantly tied his opponent to President Bush and his failed policies and furthermore reminded everyone that he served a massive amount of time in the military from which he derives most of his expertise. Whether the topic was energy independence or the right to bear arms, Sestak said he knows how to handle these things because of his military experience.

Toomey on the other hand linked Sestak to Nancy Pelosi and criticized his support for all bailouts, which he completely opposed. He also finished most of his comments about Sestak by pointing out that that’s how extreme his opponent actually is. This occurred not once, but multiple times.

Both candidates not just labeled their opponent liberal or conservative, but went a step further and call the other one an extremist. By doing this, they tried to shape the voters’ opinions. It was no longer about electing a liberal or a conservative, but about not electing an extremist.

Still that did not stop them from thinking of the other candidate as a decent person.
Right when the campaign ads became a topic in the debate, both where suddenly reluctant to think of the other one as extreme. Of course they had different views, but that was alright, all of a sudden. So if they seriously believe this, they should stop this extremist-maneuver.