Supporters have also criticized opponents for using parliamentary tactics to fight the bill.
People are often accused of being aggressive if they criticise opponents directly and strongly.
Duck, however, criticized his opponent on at least one specific issue, a vote "against providing sufficient funds for veterans' medical care".
Boswell criticized his opponent for signing a pledge not to raise taxes.
The term "chardonnay socialist" is regularly used by people from throughout the political spectrum to criticise opponents.
Conlin later criticized her Republican opponent in the general election for his unwillingness to debate her.
At other junctures, each tried to perform verbal calisthenics to criticize his opponent on a different subject altogether.
A Wall Street Journal editorial criticized opponents of the program, saying that the critics were "turning a blind eye to science."
Mr. Kerry, too, refrained from criticizing his opponent directly.