gotcha politics

Political activity and discourse focused primarily on catching one's opponents in a scandal or error so as to discredit them, rather than by focusing on one's own strengths and goals. The senator vowed not to engage in gotcha politics during his presidential campaign, but in the months leading up to the election, he focused almost exclusively on his opponent's alleged tax irregularities. I'm not saying we should excuse infidelity when it comes to light, but I'd rather judge a politician on their accomplishments and beliefs than engage in gotcha politics all the time. Look, if you have any remotely scandalous secrets, we need to prepare for the possibility that your opponent partakes in gotcha politics.