Pricey campaign ads often use moving images, dramatic music, and value-laden but vague words. The people at FactCheck.org put together some tips on how to spot fact-free advertising— ads that convey a positive image of the candidate without relaying specifics. The article offers this advice:
- Be critical. When a candidate calls for a strong economy, ask yourself which candidate is calling for a weak economy.
- Don't fill in the blanks. Your ideas about strength and patriotism may not match the candidate's.
- Dig deeper. Avoid making judgments based on attractive language that could mean anything.
Check out the site for more tips on how to use your heart and your head this election. Have you seen any really fact-free ads this season? Who do you think is the biggest perpetrator of fluffy or misleading campaign ads?
La Senza
Dress for Less
Hafize Ozbudak
The sad thing is that marketing research shows that the "fluff" ads work the best (like last election's "Wolves" ad from the Republicans). Americans vote more for emotion than for fact.
That being said, just because the ad isn't specific doesnt mean the candidate doesn't have specifics...I encourage everyone to check out websites if they have any questions. 30 second ads don't usually reflect complex answers that are required by the tough questions our nation faces.
1Thanks for that website address. I always see them on Countdown with Keith Olbermann but I forget to bookmark the page. Now I can put it next to Vote-Smart.org
2I've been reading FactCheck.org since the 2004 elections - these guys have really done a great job de-bunking all the crap spewed by the candidates. It's really interesting to see just how far the trust gets twisted - and which candidates aren't even bothering with the truth and just making up their own.
The greatest thing about FactCheck is that as far as I can tell, they have NEVER had to debunk a statement by Ron Paul. He has been the only candidate to speak with complete honesty.
3Truthiness.
4Clairnet, Ron Paul is the man.
5His record shows that he's very consistent with his voting and he's always honest about his voting. Love that you can believe what he says.
Oh, cool web site.
I find this true of all advertising campaigns.
6Ever *really* listen to all ads on television, they are insulting and stupid.
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