Today's article is nothing more, really, than a reading assignment. Just to warn everyone.

Back in February, the New Yorker ran an article which didn't get much attention. It's one of those out-in-the-wonky-weeds political-insider types of article, but even the wonky Left hasn't much noticed it (at least from what I can tell). But the point it makes could actually be a key factor in Mitt Romney's chances this fall. Because Romney's "secret weapon" is none other than the political ad guy who came up with the "Willie Horton" ad, decades ago.

Larry McCarthy is one of the driving forces behind the Restore Our Future super PAC. This group is going to be Romney's chief attack dog in the battle for the airwaves for the next six months. Meaning McCarthy is going to have an enormous influence on how the Romney campaign slings mud. And McCarthy is a mudslinger extraordinaire -- he's a master of the art form.

In fact, the best ad I've seen during the entire primary campaign was created by McCarthy -- the Newt Gingrich "too much baggage" ad. The first time I saw it, I was amazed at how well-done the ad was -- it is funny, scary, easy-to-understand, and devastating, all at once. In short, it was a masterpiece of political attack ads.

Political ads are judged on one quality: their effectiveness. Does the ad work? That's the only measure candidates use. It doesn't matter what the media or the fact checkers have to say about it, it doesn't matter who it offends -- as long as the ad has its intended effect, it is judged a success. The Willie Horton ad is remembered today for precisely this reason. How many other political ads does anybody remember from the same era? Precious few. But I don't even have to provide a link to explain what the Willie Horton ad was, because I'm fairly confident that anyone reading this will already know what I'm talking about.

That is effective. And memorable.

Which is why I'm using today simply to point people at that New Yorker column. It is worth reading, and worth Democrats' worry. The Obama team had better be ready for such ads, because the man in charge of producing them for Romney is very, very good at what he does. It's time a few people on the Left realize what they will be facing in the ad wars on television this year.

-- Chris Weigant

Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant