Today on GRITtv, should Obama go negative? A recent flurry of negative campaign ads from John McCain and company has the progressive community wondering if Obama is ready for prime time. From LBJ’s now famous Daisy Girl ad in 1964 suggesting that a Goldwater victory might mean nuclear war to the now infamous swiftboating of John Kerry, going negative seems to work.

Obama, however, has said he will not go negative, preferring to highlight his own positive message of change. His Super Bowl ad is a good example. The question for some is whether Obama should go negative. For others it is whether the Dems even know how to go negative.

To discuss how Obama might respond are Faye Wattleton of the Center for the Advancement of Women, Steve Cobble a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, and Malia Lazu, Executive Director of The Gathering for Justice. George Bush is perhaps the most disliked man in the world according to Cobble. The image of McCain and Bush in an awkward embrace should be seared in the minds of voters. Obama shouldn’t tread on McCain’s character but should go after the issues. There’s plenty to attack. Watch the full conversation here.

Also tonight a studio performance and interview with Richard Barone. Barone gained international fame and a cult following as the lead singer and songwriter for the new wave band, the Bongos. He discusses his recent memoir, Frontman: Surviving the Rock Star Myth and his upcoming album.

Today also marks the 63^rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. We have a commentary from Frida Berrigan and a Sash remix of Enola Gay by Orchestral Manuvers in the Dark. Finally, Elevator Music, a video by Serdar Ferit from the Pangea Day festival.