Negative Political Ads

It’s no wonder why the American public is disgusted with politics and politicians. The common practice of character-bashing, negative attack ads are so pervasive that Nevada’s ballot choice of “none of the above” is making more sense with every passing day.

Based on ALL of the commercials I’ve seen for ALL of the candidates, I can conclude the following:

1) Each and every candidate has voted to raise our taxes
2) Each and every candidate is against growing our economy/creating jobs
3) Each and every candidate is unethical in some way, shape or form
4) Each and every candidate clubs baby seals in their spare time

OK, the last one is not true, but then again---are ANY of the claims even PARTIALLY factual?

Who knows? After awhile, we tend to tune them out. If there is one fact, it is this sad one:

NEGATIVE ADS WORK.

What does that say about us?
Namely, it means that we are generally ill equipped to make a rational decision in most political races. Not all of us, but most of us.

Some segments of the population actually follow each candidate’s voting record, their stated stands on issues and their conduct/performance in previous positions. Most of us, however, base our decisions on such irrelevant criteria as:

1) Their race, gender, family name or physical attractiveness

2) Our “feeling” about this person as being competent

3) Our “feeling” about whose background most closely matches our own. (If I see another “He/She is ONE OF US” ads, I might throw up)

4) Political affiliation without regard to record—i.e. “I always vote Republican”

5) Disdain for whomever holds the office currently. There are those who would elect a BREATH MINT in place of the incumbent. Look no further than Minnesota electing wrestler Jesse Ventura as Governor or California making Arnold Schwarzenegger their Chief Executive.

Here's a humorous "tutorial" on how to put together a negative TV ad:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTuTsAvZQrU

It would be funnier if it weren't so TRUE.

Party affiliation is a big factor in decision-making—since I believe the traditional IMAGES of “party” dominate the candidates perception among the public--- whether they should or not:

DEMOCRATS—These are the “tax and spenders” who are compassionate to a fault.
They love government, believing it should provide for all—and they
despise big business. They represent minorities and gays and number
among their ranks the elitist academic types. They are pro-union and
represent the lower and middle classes.

REPUBLICANS---- These are the conservative, fiscally responsible folks who hate rules
and regulations that come from government—in fact, they despise
government. They believe capitalism completely unfettered will
solve all problems---they are also intolerant, seeing themselves as
morally superior. They represent the wealthy and count major
corporations as their biggest supporters.


While there are exceptions to the above, being labeled or associated with one of the above political parties has also saddled you PERSONALLY with many of not all of the traits attributed that that party.

Overcoming the IMAGE associated with your party affiliation is almost impossible to do. Smart candidates now often leave the words “democrat” or “republican” off of their TV ads and roadside signs. Being “independent” never had more clout.

No one cares about MY choice for, say, Maine governor. All I ask is that every voter take a hard look at the PLANS that each candidate has for the state, for his or her PRIORITIES upon taking office, for their demonstrated past performance---and then make an educated choice.

We’ve all had “buyer’s remorse” after realizing someone we helped vote INTO office is a complete boob. This of course means that the whole process remains a crapshoot.

Nevertheless, it is still worth the time it takes to study the issues that matter to you, find out how each candidate speaks to those issues---and then make an educated decision.

You will be outnumbered by drones who will base their choice on the latest negative ad they were exposed to, but that doesn’t mean your vote doesn’t count.

It does.

If you’d like my blog in your weekday inbox, just let me know: tim.moore@citcomm.com