Negative Campaigning: Why Do They Do It and How To Respond

S

scun10

Oct 2012

10

0

• Oct 23, 2012

• #1

This year's US presidential elections are projected to put out 3.6 million political ads, with an estimated 66-70% of them being negative. Why do you think candidates use these ads? Do they get you involved or turn you off? Does one presidential candidate use more negativity than the other in your mind.

I took a stab at writing an article about this here: http://www.sarahcunningham.org/negative-advertising

I'd like to hear more solutions/ideas for how you respond to ads...feel free to disagree.

 

Last edited: Oct 23, 2012

David

Jul 2009

5,893

474

Port St. Lucie

• Oct 23, 2012

• #2

scun10 said:

This year's US presidential elections are projected to put out 3.6 million political ads, with an estimated 66-70% of them being negative. Why do you think candidates use these ads? Do they get you involved or turn you off? Does one presidential candidate use more negativity than the other in your mind.

Click to expand...

They're of the mind that it's easier to make you hate the other person more then it is to convince you they're better for the job.

 

S

scun10

Oct 2012

10

0

• Oct 23, 2012

• #3

David said:

They're of the mind that it's easier to make you hate the other person more then it is to convince you they're better for the job.

Click to expand...

It obviously works at some level, or has the appearance of working, or they wouldn't sink so much $ into it.

But does it backfire is the question?

Do most people just see both sides throwing mud and think, no one can be trusted, and ignore it all?

 

S

scun10

Oct 2012

10

0

• Oct 23, 2012

• #4

Does anyone know of any laws that specifically govern campaign ads?

 

David

Jul 2009

5,893

474

Port St. Lucie

• Oct 23, 2012

• #5

scun10 said:

Does anyone know of any laws that specifically govern campaign ads?

Click to expand...

What laws? :giggle: They can't use the Seal of the POTUS and have to say who payed for the ad. It's total anarchy otherwise.

 

R

reader

Jun 2012

134

0

Turkey

• Oct 24, 2012

• #6

İt looks like wrong at first appearance but, also a natural result of being in a competition, unless they go out of ethics. As the article says, other' candidate's mistakes are more effective to convince people rather then just advertise their own programs.