This seems to me to be over the top and out of line:
New Jersey’s bitter governor’s race turned more acerbic on Thursday as Republicans released a television ad featuring harsh words about the Democrat, Jon S. Corzine, from his ex-wife.
Democrats responded by calling the commercial a sign of desperation, and Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey joined in, calling Douglas R. Forrester, the Republican nominee, a “liar” and “hypocrite” for authorizing the ad after saying that he would not use her comments to promote his campaign.
The ad released by the Forrester campaign, which has no sound, just the words of Joanne Corzine, was criticized by Mr. Corzine’s allies.
“Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse or any lower, it did, on Mr. Forrester’s behalf,” Mr. Codey said at a campaign event in Montclair with Mr. Corzine and former Senator Bill Bradley.The flare-up, in a race that has offended many voters with its attack ads by both candidates, came one day after Joanne Corzine said that her ex-husband’s quest for political power had led him to abandon both his family and his principles.
I have not been following this election, so I do not know if Corzine has done similar things or if other dirty tricks have been played on Forrester, but that is really irrelevant. This clearly is bringing someone’s personal life (in this case, failed aspects of the personal life) into a race, and should be frowned upon.
Again, even if this in retaliation for similar behavior or other dirty tricks (and I don’t know if it is), this is over the line. The Forrester campaign should be ashamed of themselves.