Obama: Negative ads will have role in 2012 race

[February 06, 2012]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the rise of political action committees guarantees that there will be a lot of negative ads in the lead-up to November's presidential election.

Obama says he would prefer to get the "big money" that funds the so-called super PACs out of politics. But he says court decisions authorizing the funding of super PACs means it's hard for a candidate to get their message across without using those resources.

Obama wouldn't say whether his campaign or outside groups supporting him would avoid negative ads.

But he says a candidate can't win by simply attacking their opponent and going negative. He says candidates must also explain their vision for the country.

Obama spoke during an interview on NBC's "Today" show.

[Associated Press]

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