I take great exception to M.D. Harmon’s snide inferences that the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s ads featuring Democrat Cynthia Dill and independent Angus King reveal “truths” about the candidates.

Although dirty politics has a long history in the United States — George Washington treated his voters to free alcohol when running for the House of Burgesses in Virginia — it would be rather nice if candidates would stick to their own ads, positive or negative, and not hide behind other organizations.

I have no respect for Charlie Summers as he tries to portray himself as just a regular guy who wants to help me when ads run for him distort the records of his opponents.

I can think of no good reason why a Republican organization would run an ad that appears to support Dill for the Senate. Unless the ad sponsors have seen the light and really want people to vote for Dill instead of Summers, I see these ads as mean-spirited and distasteful.

Fortunately, I don’t believe Mainers are fooled by this sleight of hand.

William Griffith

Augusta