washingtonpost.com: From Bush, Unprecedented Negativity

How desperate is Bush to turn away from his own record and change the subject to hating Kerry? well look at this.

*3/4 of Bush's campaign ads have been attacks on Kerry.
*Research by University of Pennsylvania professor Kathleen Hall Jamieson shows Bush has aired more attack ads at this date than aired by any 2 candidates in any other general election.

It seems we're in for worse mud, as things usually get harsh as elections draw near. even in 1988, often seen as the low water mark for trash campaigning, the negative ads did not start until months beyond this point in time.

Any ideas from the Republicans out there as to why Bush is going so negative, so early...as opposed to running on his record or 'success'?