That's an interesting question. I almost responded never, but had to go with occasionally because for me they do sometimes have a negative impact for the candidate running the ads, the "call me" ad being the best recent example, or in general when a candidate says stuff that you know is BS or that just makes you mad. I pay little or no attention to ads for candidates I like.
That said, I don't see many ads because I apparently don't watch the same TV as the demographic they are targeting, and about the only radio I listen to is Air America on XM and they don't run many political ads.
Submitted by redmondkr on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 11:20.
I decided long ago that most television advertising is at best deceptive. At worst it is a downright lie with the necessary tiny print disclaimer.
I have spotted ads for Clinton and Obama the last few evenings and either un-muted the sound or skipped backward on the DVR to listen to them. I have yet to see an Edwards ad but I would definitely listen to his as well.
The Republican ads are treated the same as those of the Geico lizard.
Submitted by WhitesCreek on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 11:58.
My Mom in Law saws it's no fun to watch TV news with me because I already know more than the newscaster and keep correcting him. I suspect I'm not the only one like that here.
The ads are designed play to the ignorant. That ain't us.
The ads are designed play to the ignorant. That ain't us.
For my part, I can't disavow ignorance, but I agree the people who frequent these kind of sites probably aren't the target audience for campaign ads. So this poll was probably more entertainment than science.
I marvel at our current political system. Candidates for any major office are forced to raise boatloads of money . . . mostly for TV commercials. Apparently those things must work, for there's a lot of research that goes into that kind of thing. And yet when I see those commercials--even for candidates I like--I almost shake my head at how silly it all seems. This is the way we pick a president? With trite sound bytes or misleading 30 second attack ads? It's a sorry spectacle.
Submitted by Terry Troll on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 12:49.
I, like Mr. Neal, may lower my opinion of a candidate with a particularly negative add but otherwise I pretty much just watch them to gauge how effective they seem to be. On the other hand I think at least one worked quite well. I am old enough to have been engaged in my first campaign (but unable to vote) when Barry Goldwater had a bomb go off in his lap. Everyone in the world was talking about that one. It had impact.
I find myself watching the debates, maybe for the first time, as an undecided since Richardson dropped out. I think they are having a lot of impact on my decision
Submitted by Pam Strickland on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 16:13.
I was at one of those Optimist Club youth league basketball games last Saturday when someone said that Bush has decided we were going to get $800 each. The person thought it was a done deal already. I couldn't keep my mouth shut (although one of my aunts thought I should have), so I told her that it still had to be approved by Congress. The woman started telling me that she knew what she'd heard on TV the night before. I decided I didn't want to have a knock down while my little cousin was playing some great defense. But it does amaze me how little most of the world knows about politics and our government.
As for commercials. I have never been persuaded for or against someone by a TV ad. I have, however, been driven to a stronger "agin" stance by some advertising. About six years ago in Arkansas the incumbent U.S. Senator was in big trouble. He'd ran on a family values ticket, and then ended up moving to Washington and getting a divorce from his wife of 30 plus years. Then he married one of his former Congressional aids. So his ad people, put him in commercials having discussions with his very young grandson, maybe 5. I guess it was to make him look like a family man. Ha! It backfired big time. He lost in the double digits.
Submitted by lovable liberal on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 17:44.
What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so. --Mark Twain
I tend to argue with these people, too, to no avail. Better to ask questions: "When did the Senate take that up? Is that each person or each family? Does it cover all people or just those who make enough to pay income tax?"
Of course, the likely answer for the resolutely ill-informed is, "I don't know. I just know we're getting $800."
And what's sad is, they should have gone with the over. Looks like they'll get $1200 if both are working (as most middle class families are, unless they are single mothers struggling to get by).
Submitted by redmondkr on Sat, 01/26/2008 - 16:39.
From the Houston Chronicle, Republican candidate for Tom DeLay's old congressional seat Dean Hrbacek sent out a campaign mailing in which he appears to be a much slimmer, trimmer person than he really is.
He has attacked his Republican rivals by accusing them of inflating their credentials but it seems that Mr. Hrbacek's brochure had his head Photoshopped to somebody else's body.
I guess he was afraid of getting the nickname Lumpy.
Political campaigns spend tons of money on advertisements. How effective are they in influencing you via 15- or 30-second spots?
Brian A.
That's an interesting question. I almost responded never, but had to go with occasionally because for me they do sometimes have a negative impact for the candidate running the ads, the "call me" ad being the best recent example, or in general when a candidate says stuff that you know is BS or that just makes you mad. I pay little or no attention to ads for candidates I like.
That said, I don't see many ads because I apparently don't watch the same TV as the demographic they are targeting, and about the only radio I listen to is Air America on XM and they don't run many political ads.
I decided long ago that most television advertising is at best deceptive. At worst it is a downright lie with the necessary tiny print disclaimer.
I have spotted ads for Clinton and Obama the last few evenings and either un-muted the sound or skipped backward on the DVR to listen to them. I have yet to see an Edwards ad but I would definitely listen to his as well.
The Republican ads are treated the same as those of the Geico lizard.
Visit us at
Wearybottom Associates
My Mom in Law saws it's no fun to watch TV news with me because I already know more than the newscaster and keep correcting him. I suspect I'm not the only one like that here.
The ads are designed play to the ignorant. That ain't us.
The ads are designed play to the ignorant. That ain't us.
For my part, I can't disavow ignorance, but I agree the people who frequent these kind of sites probably aren't the target audience for campaign ads. So this poll was probably more entertainment than science.
I marvel at our current political system. Candidates for any major office are forced to raise boatloads of money . . . mostly for TV commercials. Apparently those things must work, for there's a lot of research that goes into that kind of thing. And yet when I see those commercials--even for candidates I like--I almost shake my head at how silly it all seems. This is the way we pick a president? With trite sound bytes or misleading 30 second attack ads? It's a sorry spectacle.
Brian A.
I, like Mr. Neal, may lower my opinion of a candidate with a particularly negative add but otherwise I pretty much just watch them to gauge how effective they seem to be. On the other hand I think at least one worked quite well. I am old enough to have been engaged in my first campaign (but unable to vote) when Barry Goldwater had a bomb go off in his lap. Everyone in the world was talking about that one. It had impact.
I find myself watching the debates, maybe for the first time, as an undecided since Richardson dropped out. I think they are having a lot of impact on my decision
Just saw the rerun of Obama on the Letterman Show and it hit me - in less than a year chances are we will again have a president who can say nuclear.
But I'm not sure about changing October to Barack-tober.
Visit us at
Wearybottom Associates
I was at one of those Optimist Club youth league basketball games last Saturday when someone said that Bush has decided we were going to get $800 each. The person thought it was a done deal already. I couldn't keep my mouth shut (although one of my aunts thought I should have), so I told her that it still had to be approved by Congress. The woman started telling me that she knew what she'd heard on TV the night before. I decided I didn't want to have a knock down while my little cousin was playing some great defense. But it does amaze me how little most of the world knows about politics and our government.
As for commercials. I have never been persuaded for or against someone by a TV ad. I have, however, been driven to a stronger "agin" stance by some advertising. About six years ago in Arkansas the incumbent U.S. Senator was in big trouble. He'd ran on a family values ticket, and then ended up moving to Washington and getting a divorce from his wife of 30 plus years. Then he married one of his former Congressional aids. So his ad people, put him in commercials having discussions with his very young grandson, maybe 5. I guess it was to make him look like a family man. Ha! It backfired big time. He lost in the double digits.
pgs
Pam Strickland
What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so. --Mark Twain
I tend to argue with these people, too, to no avail. Better to ask questions: "When did the Senate take that up? Is that each person or each family? Does it cover all people or just those who make enough to pay income tax?"
Of course, the likely answer for the resolutely ill-informed is, "I don't know. I just know we're getting $800."
Willful belief is hard to overcome.
Liberty and justice for all.
My new home
And what's sad is, they should have gone with the over. Looks like they'll get $1200 if both are working (as most middle class families are, unless they are single mothers struggling to get by).
willful stupidity?
_________________________________________________
"You can't fix stupid..." ~ Ron White"
"I never said I wasn't a brat..." ~ Talidapali
A president is sold in the same manner as diet pills. Anything that is marketed heavily enough will sell.
Quality of product is of minor importance.
Visit us at
Wearybottom Associates
From the Houston Chronicle, Republican candidate for Tom DeLay's old congressional seat Dean Hrbacek sent out a campaign mailing in which he appears to be a much slimmer, trimmer person than he really is.
He has attacked his Republican rivals by accusing them of inflating their credentials but it seems that Mr. Hrbacek's brochure had his head Photoshopped to somebody else's body.
I guess he was afraid of getting the nickname Lumpy.
Visit us at
Wearybottom Associates