going negative on Clark?

I don't approve of this:

The Clark campaign was ebullient Wednesday as the retired general drew crowds in the hundreds at two town hall meetings in New Hampshire, where some polls now indicate he is battling for second place.

Outside a Clark campaign event in Peterborough, N.H., a Dean aide handed out leaflets attacking the general. The fliers highlighted General Clark's praise for the Bush administration's prosecution of the war on terrorism in 2001 and 2002, his votes for Presidents Richard M. Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush, and his sometimes conflicting statements about Iraq.

"I just think it's important to point out to the voters of New Hampshire that General Clark supported the war and General Clark spent most of his life as a Republican," said Jay Carson, Dr. Dean's national spokesman, "and he's now running as an antiwar candidate in the Democratic primary."

Asked about his voting history by a voter at the forum, General Clark said, "I never was a Republican."

He added that many in the military did not belong to a political party but chose candidates who were "strong on national defense."

"After the Vietnam War, the Democratic Party and some of the presidential candidates seemed to be wobbling all over the map on being strong for America," General Clark said. "So I voted for people who would take care of the country."

I don't understand the point of trying to agitate at another candidates' public appearances. It's better to illustrate your differences at media forums and via press release and statements. Trying to poach another candidates' supporters looks weak in comparison to building your own base from scratch. We know Dean's message stands on its own merits.