At Election Stocks our mission is to observe and describe what is happening. We wish to show how various election outcomes might affect the stock and bond markets, with an emphasis on individual issues.

While everyone writing at our site has a personal viewpoint, we try not to reveal that in our work. What we do is analysis, not a recommendation for a particular candidate. If we seem to emphasize one candidate or another, we have strayed from our path.

Occasionally we get a topic that presents a dilemma. Suppose that we see something happening that will adversely affect a candidate? While we do not wish to add to negative publicity, the information is something that our readers deserve to know. This is the problem presented by some emerging attacks on candidates.

In the 2004 elections the Kerry campaign was surprised by the Swift Boat commercials. These ads, sponsored by a legal 527 group, undermined his convention image of war hero. Were the ads accurate or fair? The debate still rages.

Meanwhile, there is strong evidence of nascent campaigns against both Obama, emphasizing his minister, and Clinton, with the inside scoop on the Secret Service detail.

We have no opinion on the truth of these reports. The point for investors is to understand that this is what will happen. It is part of our reason for believing that the odds of a McCain election are understated.