If a candidate boasts about NOT accepting illegal campaign donations... [View all]

If a candidate boasts about NOT accepting illegal campaign donations... is that the candidate's way of insinuating that his (or her) opponents DO accept illegal campaign donations?

Even if the candidate doesn't come right out and make an accusation, and even if the candidate avoids using very specific wording (such as "unlike my opponent...'') what other purpose could there be for making such a "contrast-and-compare" statement like that?

And I guess the same question could be asked of a candidate's supporters. When a supporter says: "Oh, I'm voting for Senator Acme because she doesn't accept money from corporations," isn't that a backhanded insinuation that the other candidates do accept corporate donations?

It seems to be a dishonest thing for anyone to do, and it reveals much about a candidate and his (or her) supporters when things like that happen. And I must say, what it reveals about those who do such things is not at all flattering.