Candidates Without Platforms

I’m so tired of the political campaign ads. Has it always been this nasty and I just wasn’t aware, or is this a more recent (10-15 years) phenomenon? If you are a candidate and your only platform is telling me all the negative things about your opponent(s), then you are telling me you don’t have a platform of your own. Tell me what your plan is or what you plan to do! Otherwise, as insignificant as it may be, you won’t be getting my vote or support.