Many politicians and pundits bemoan the use of attack ads as ineffective. But, the fact is that campaign professionals use attacks because they work.  There is not a more clear example of that than in the US Presidential race.

McCain launched an attack ad last week criticizing Obama for just being another “celebrity.”  The targeted TV ads were matched with legions of surrogates with identical talking points.  Polling released this morning reveal that McCain’s full-court press has made a difference, allowing McCain to pull from eight-points down to flirting with near even with Senator Obama.

McCain’s upward movement and Obama’s negative fluctuation is a clear indication that the attacks are working.  The McCain campaign now appears to be hitting its target.