A very big negative in my opinion is too many candidates with fairly common goals can only differentiate themselves by going after the democratic candidate/party and each other.

It is the political discredit the other guy mode that is destructive. Not enough, you should vote for me because..........and coming across as more capable, more qualified, more energetic, more likely candidate of choice.

Unfortunately, current politics is all about sticks and stones and digging dirt and slinging mud, etc.