Do you believe dirty campaign methods and negative political ads really work?

You see all types of negative campaigning tactics, negative commercials and mudslinging when election time is near. Do you think these tactics really do work to the advantage of the politician who uses these negative tactics more effectively?

Do you think most voters really are so lame as to rely on mudslinging political propaganda over actually researching each candidate and what they’ve accomplished in prior political positions?

I was motivated to ask this question because there are many union workers where I live who make very good money and recieve great benefits (much more than their nonunion counterparts) but yet these same people drive around with pro-republican bumper stickers on their trucks and are always bashing Democrats. Now I am neither Republican nor Democrat but I find this to be hypocritical to say the least. Is negative propaganda and brainwashing really more effective then to count on voters doing their own research before making a decision on who has their best interests in mind?