And so it begins! The primaries are essentially over, the Mittbot has been declared the winner, if not yet in actuality, at least by the media and by the slow march of mathematics. It doesn't matter whether you're ready for it or not. The contest is under way, and I predict it will be more intense earlier and longer than ever.
You may not like that. And it is true that most Americans don't fully focus until the last few weeks. But the importance of forming early impressions is vital. The stereotypes and ideas that campaigns are able to instill now will reverberate through the Fall. Kerry came out way too slow to the nasty lies about his service record, his supposed wishy-washiness, the patrician portrayal of his hobbies such as wind surfing, and Kerry suffered the consequences. McCain was slow in coming out in this period last cycle, thinking the contrast between Hillary and Barack would do his work for him.
Even if you don't think negative ads work, and they disgust you, it's just too bad you're wrong. It pains me to tell you that they do work. And you're about to be bombarded. For myself and my Georgia friends, not so much here, but from the Jacksonville television stations. The Electoral College insures that competitive democracy in Presidential elections is only blessed on a handful of swing states.
Surveys in the most recent competitive Republican primaries indicated a high level of disgust over negative ads. BUT when asked why they supported one candidate over another, they would quote verbatim from the negative ads as to reasons why they didn't like who they didn't vote for. So we say we hate them, and then we use them as a basis for our opinions. Oh, well.
So, like it or not, let the contest begin! And, with Citizens United unleashing a flood of cash from corporations and the wealthy, you'll need to get your hip waders on. It's gonna get deep.
Maybe a cap on campaign funds would change the current path of campaigns. But, unfortunately, I don't think it will change. I cannot stand political advertising. I chose to read about a candidates political history. I think it tells you pretty much everything you need to know.
ReplyDeleteTrue. And even though it won't happen, a cap on 30 and 60 second campaign ads would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI despise negative advertising. It is sad that it works so well.
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