BOSTON -- Boston Mayor Tom Menino and his opponent, Maura Hennigan, are launching new campaign ads.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported Tuesday that both ads are lighthearted, but Hennigan's has a sharper edge.

Menino would love to keep the next three weeks lighthearted and under the political radar. In his new ad, he pokes fun at himself and his more than occasional public mumblings by turning over the TV screen over to his supporters.

At first glance, Hennigan's approach appears to be just as fanciful, but her takeoff from a classic children's story is unmistakably negative.

"Negative is negative. I'm positive about the city. I think the city ids doing well," Menino said.

"Tom Menino refuses to have a debate -- a Lincoln-Douglas style debate," Hennigan said.

"You cannot sit back and spend all your time campaigning. I have a record to run on. You have to look at the opponent's record," Menino said.

"When a mayor stayed too long, it's more about them, then about doing the job," Hennigan said.

Clearly, there's potential for an interesting, substantial debate. But in reality, the two have only shared the stage twice and both times, Menino refused to exchange questions and answers directly from Hennigan.

"Over the past four years, Boston's homicide rate has doubled," Hennigan said.

"Crime is down 12 percent in the city of Boston this year. I think we are making a lot of progress in Boston. You can't distort the numbers. We have facts on our side," Menino said.

Of course, they would have to agree on which facts best present the most accurate picture. The two will meet at least one more time.

They've agreed to share lunch with a Boston Globe columnist on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, boths candidates promised to spend more on ads before Election Day, Nov. 8.