Life without political ads

This is my 13th straight election year as a member of an editorial board in one of five states. Lord knows how many candidate interviews that encompasses -- surely more than 400 -- if you count them all.

Though this silly season tests our stamina, it's always a rewarding civic exercise. It takes a lot to put your name, reputation and viewpoint out there at the risk of having them sullied.

For me, the biggest drawback is having to see those nasty political ads, many of which are beginning to look more and more like a Jay Leno or SNL parody. They seem to be especially pervasive during morning TV programming.

My question is this: Do you think you could make a sound voting decision without a) hearing the scary music lead-in followed by the pasty image of some poor candidate with a 5 o'clock shadow, b) hearing the familiar urgent, baritone voice-over telling you 5 O'clock Shadow Guy has criminal ties and wants to take your children's lunch money, candy or worse, and c) knowing that candidates "approve this message"?

Or do you think political ads simply add zest to the campaign season?