A method of arguing that should be avoided - attacking a person or their character (rather than refuting the points they make). We note that certain New Zealand politicians seem to make a habit of using ad hominem attacks.

a logical error where the person making an argument is attacked instead of the argument

a logical fallacy describing the attempt to discredit an argument by merely attacking the credibility of the arguer

an attack against the person WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE LOGIC OR THE ISSUES

an attack on the argument based on irrelevant claims relating to the speaker

an obvious signaling device of a weak argument as the individual offering it realizes that the dispute can not be countered with reason or evidence to the contrary, thus necessitating a deflection from the heart of the matter

an unwarranted attack on the person to discredit their arguments

a personal attack that has no bearing on the issue at hand