Senator Richard Burr’s campaign has a rare decorum: There’s been no name calling, no finger pointing and no rants which has to appeal to voters who’re fed up with politics.

But sometimes your friends, meaning to be helpful, can land you in a soup.

One night last election (in 2014) as I was sitting in bed an ad came on TV filled with black and white photos and music straight out of a Dracula movie with a woman’s anxious voice saying, Robin Hudson took the side of convicted child molesters.

Now I didn’t have much empathy for Robin Hudson but before you convince me one of Gary’s Democratic brethren supports child molesters you’re going to have to show me more proof than unflattering black and white photos.

The ad backfired.

And Robin Hudson was reelected.

The other morning as I was sitting at the kitchen counter another ad with black and white photos and Dracula music came on TV and this time a woman’s voice said, Deciding between protecting NC families or helping conceal child molesters, Deborah Ross sided with sex offenders…

I expect the Political Masterminds up at the National Republican Senate Committee (which is running this ad) figured they were helping Richard Burr by torpedoing Deborah Ross but after what happened in Robin Hudson’s race you’d think they’d have thought, Black and white photos aren’t going to cut the mustard – if we say Deborah Ross sides with sex offenders and don’t show the proof the ad will backfire.

But some folks never learn.