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The Media II. 12/5/2011. Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: discuss and critically analyze political events in the United States government
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The Media II 12/5/2011
Clearly Communicated Learning Objectives in Written Form • Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: • discuss and critically analyze political events in the United States government • students will be able to identify and explain the role of informal institutions and their effect on policy.
Office Hours and Readings • Pp 130-151 • Office Hours • Tuesday – 8:00-8:30, 9:30-10:00 • Wednesday- 8:00-10:30
Presidential Debates • A Recent Phenomenon • General Strategies • Do not screw up
Why Candidates Like these • A chance for exposure • A chance for Legitimacy • A chance to move in the polls
Presidential Debates • Who Wins (the leader in the polls) • The Person who doesn’t make a mistake • Does it matter?
Presidential Debates • Win by not losing • What don't you want to do? • The 1960 Debate • Look ancient • Seem heartless • You are no Jack Kennedy • Eastern Europe is Free • The Global Test • Adm. James Stockdale • Blind , Deaf, Dumb
The Media Strategy • Getting the Message Out • Paid Advertisements • Free Press • You campaign for votes and you campaign for media by getting free coverage • Avoid cannibalizing
Getting Free Press • Having your message get covered by the media • You can reach a wide audience and It is not costing you money • This is fully mediated
Maximizing Free Coverage • Create a package • Convey a winning message • Shape an Image
Maximizing Free Coverage • Don’t Say too Much • Repeat the Few Basic Points • Bad Press is Bad Press
Political Advertising • Unmediated • Protected by First Amendment • Why So Popular?
Targeting Ads and their Effect • Uncommitted voters vs Partisans • When are they Most Effective? • Ads are a sign of political viability
Candidate Credibility • We have to trust the messenger • Issue Ownership • Try to focus on your best issue
Getting More Votes • Delivering a positive message about your candidate (mobilizing) • Deliver a negative message about the opposition (mobilizing/demobilizing)
Biographical Ads • Inform us about the Candidate • Very important early in the campaign
Examples of Bio Ads • We have Come A long Way since Ike • Bio Ads in 2008 • Obama bio ad • McCain bio ad • What you do not want to say
Issue Ads • Focus on a specific issue or a policy area • Associate yourself with favorable policies • Do not mention issue weakness
Examples of Issue Ads • The Bear in the Woods in 1984 • Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris... • Hillary Clinton- Attack/Issue Ad • The Herman Cain “Smoking” Ad
Attack Ads • The Norm Rather than the Exception • The Mother of all Attack Ads
The Effect of Attack ads on voters • Some voters become disenchanted and disaffected • Your Base Loves them!
How Effective are these • If they didn’t work, candidates wouldn’t run them • The Lessons of 1988 • The Revolving Door • Willie Horton
Why They Work and Who uses them more • We don’t trust politicians • They are more memorable and informative • Challengers and vulnerable incumbents use them
Do Not Give your Opponent Ammo • Never go to a Playboy Party • Don’t Drive a Tank with a big helmet • Gee, thanks a lot IKE • The Defining Sound bite of 2008
How To Deal with them • Defend the Charges • Kerry Flip-Flopping on the issues • The Kerry Rebuttal • Counterattack on the same issue or up the ante- The Puppy Ad • Attack the Credibility of your opponent
How not to deal with them • Do Nothing • The Initial Ad • Swiftboats • Kerry’s rebuttal to swiftboats? • If you get Punched in the nose, you must punch back
How the attack can backfire • If you are seen as being too evil
Ads Can Backfire • You do it too late to make a difference • You bring a knife to a gun fight