CMAG President Ken Goldstein spoke at the New America Foundation Negative Political Advertising Event on Friday, February 24, 2012 in Washington, DC

The New America Foundation hosted a discussion on the negative advertising in Campaign 2012, as well as past political campaigns. Experts examined the evolution of political messaging and its impact on our culture.

Robert Mann, author of “Daisy Petals and Mushroom Clouds” spoke on the topic, "Tainted Ice Cream Cones, a Furloughed Willie and Swift Boats: The Evolution of Negativity."

Then, Ken Goldstein, President of the Campaign Media Analysis Group, examined the topic, "Will This Be the Most Negative Campaign Cycle in History?"

Next, Robert Mann and Ken Goldstein were joined by Jane Mayer, Staff Writer for The New Yorker, and Garance Franke-Ruta, Senior Editor of The Atlantic, on the topic, "Can Clashing Negatives Be Positive?"

"The Art of Dirt-Digging" followed, presented by Michael Rejebian, Co-author of “We’re With Nobody” and Partner at Huffman and Rejebian.

Finally, Jayme Maultasch, Senior Vice President and Group Account Director of Deutsch New York, and Mike Hughes, President of the Martin Agency, discussed the topic, "So Why Doesn’t Coke Do To Pepsi What Mitt Romney Did to Newt Gingrich?"

Andrés Martinez, Vice President and Editorial Director of the New America Foundation and former Los Angeles Times Editorial Page Editor will moderated and make opening remarks.

This was the first in the New America Foundation's "Delve Into '12" election event series.

View the video on C-Span.