Analyst predicts nasty election cycle

WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- A political analyst predicts the 2010 U.S. election cycle will set a new record for the volume of negative political ads.

Evan Tracey of Campaign Media Analysis Group told The Washington Post that spending in the 130 races he has been following is about $100 million ahead of where it was in 2006, when Democrats won control of both the House and Senate.

"We always say this is the most negative cycle, but 2010 probably will be it," Tracey said. "The national issues are huge, and both parties hold the view that you have to blow up your opponent."

This year, Republicans hope to regain control of at least one house of Congress. Turning up the heat even farther are bitter primary fights in many states, especially among Republicans.

In Colorado, where both parties have contested primaries for the U.S. Senate, Republican Jane Norton released an ad attacking her rival's attack ads.

"Seen those TV ads attacking me? They're paid for by a shady interest group doing the bidding of Ken Buck. You'd think Ken would be man enough to do it himself," her commercial said.