Negative political advertising

[pjohns]

Negative ads are effective.

That begs the question: Why is this?

Is it for one of the two reasons that I suggested?

Or for another reason, entirely?

[pjohns]

Those who say they don’t like negative ads, generally like them when they are used against those whom they don’t support.

I think you have a reasonable point here.

But I often see negative ads for second-tier or third-tier positions, as regarding which I have simply not made up my mind yet, as concerning my candidate preference.

[Tahuyaman]

I think you have a reasonable point here.

But I often see negative ads for second-tier or third-tier positions, as regarding which I have simply not made up my mind yet, as concerning my candidate preference.

What is the definition of a second or third tier position?

[Tahuyaman]

That begs the question: Why is this?

Is it for one of the two reasons that I suggested?

Or for another reason, entirely?

People vote against someone as much as they vote for someone.

[pjohns]

People vote against someone as much as they vote for someone.

I cannot argue with this.

But does that suggest, then, that most people simply do not trust any politician--and are merely voting for what they perceive as being the lesser of two evils?

[Tahuyaman]

I cannot argue with this.

But does that suggest, then, that most people simply do not trust any politician--and are merely voting for what they perceive as being the lesser of two evils?

Possibly. In 2016 I couldn't vote for either Clinton or Trump, so I voted for Gary Johnson. In that case I mainly voted against the two major party candidates.

[pjohns]

What is the definition of a second or third tier position?

In 2022, Tennessee's ballot was extremely lengthy; it included such positions as intermediate appellate courts; school boards; municipal government; etc.

I am not saying that these positions are unimportant; just less than first tier.

[stephenpe]

I remember in Fla when we would have, in addition to all those positions, 10 amendments to the state constitution........you needed to really study before election day. Many take their sample ballots in as cheat sheets.......

[Tahuyaman]

In 2022, Tennessee's ballot was extremely lengthy; it included such positions as intermediate appellate courts; school boards; municipal government; etc.

I am not saying that these positions are unimportant; just less than first tier.

So then anything is not a federal issue is second tier? Those are not second tier issues at the state and local levels.

[Carl Young]

Negative ads are effective. All politicians decry negative advertising, but they all use that strategy.

It certainly worked against Donald Trump and almost all of it was free.