Unlike popular perception, campaigns have increasingly been less negative over time. Ah, the good ol days, when stuff like “Ma, Ma, where’s my Pa?”, Jefferson being the anti-christ, and Jackson killing Dickinson in a duel over his wife took place.
The first inquiry in your post might make a difference, if any candidate actually took the time to have an in-depth debate with another candidate. However, unlike what your boy claims, there aren't any substantive debates on the issues. Of course, the other half of that statement is "when all they do is attack", which means you are simply looking at the media characterization of McCain. He's doing the same thing Obama is at the moment - going around making speeches in favor of his policies and against the other guy.