Methods to Reach Potential Voters

The Point: They need votesRunning for office can be difficult & expensiveCandidates have to reach out to their voters to

get their point across. People have to be informed so they know

why to vote. There are a variety of techniques & a variety of

ways to get their point across

RadioNewspaperCanvassingInternetTelevision (Most popular method)

Why would T.V. be most popular?

There are different methods used to reach potential voters:

Who pays for these ads?Interest Groups PACSPolitical PartiesCandidates

Interest Groups are groups of people who advocate a certain change

The primary goal of Interest Groups is to Influence Public Policy.

Special Interest groups hire LOBBYISTS to influence legislators to support the groups ideas and desires.

Interest Groups

Political Action Committee

type of organization that pools campaign contributions from members

Donates those funds to campaign for or against candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislation.

NEGATIVE - One candidate portrays the other in an unfavorable light.

1.

2. Testimonialendorsements from

celebrities and other well-known peopleMichael Jordan

endorsement of Bill Bradley for President

3. Card Stacking/Scientific Claim– use of statistics often in a one-sided manner omission of information that is crucial to

drawing an informed and balanced conclusionExample – 95% of citizens surveyed support

Mrs. Jones for city council

4. Bandwagonsimilar to card stackingAn attempt to convey a sense of momentum To generate a positive everybody’s doing it so you should too mentality

Example – Voice-overs in commercials stating, “Polls show Robert Stone leading in the race for the United States Senate.”

5. WARM AND FUZZYCandidates make the viewer feel good about the country or his/her campaign.

6. Mudslinging/Name CallingOften referred to as “attack ads,”TV, radio, and print advertisements make

judgments about the opponent in a variety of unflattering ways.

Used by a candidate primarily to create a negative impression of one’s opponent

7. Contrast Ad/Snobbery–positive images of one’s candidacy with

negative images of the opponent in the same adExample – Images of two candidates on screen

as a voice over denounces the opponent followed by a red X

8. HUMOROUS ADCandidates elicit a laugh or smile from the viewer.

9. Transfer/Scare Tactics/Guilt by Association

To create a positive feelings for the candidate by using negative or controversial symbols

Example – positive – ads that feature pleasant music, beautiful outdoor country or rural scenery, happy families, playful children, successful teams or business.

Example – negative – taking about an opponent’s record with ominous music in the background, using black and white photos, visually shocking images such as oil spills, home foreclosure.

10.Plain-Folks Appeal Looking like an “Average”

American, appealing to help people to influence the vote.

An attempt by a candidate to appeal to the average voter as “one of the people” Example – Lamar Alexander in

1996 wearing his trademark red and black checkered shirt. Any candidate ad where he or she appears with no jacket or suit, shirtsleeves rolled up and/or wearing a sweater. Usually doing everyday tasks such as shopping at the supermarket or walking down a street or “visiting” with neighbors

11. GLITTERING GENERALITIES

usually the first type of ad used in a campaign, these spots are designed to introduce a candidate to the voters.

these types of ads are almost always very positive

Designed to leave the viewer with a very good first impression.

Writing PromptDo political advertisements impact a political

campaign? If so, how?

Do the images you see impact what you think?

Please answer both questions

What is the difference between a duty and a responsibility?

Duty: obligatory task, something that you HAVE to do.

Example: Military Service, paying taxes, obey the law

Responsibility: moral, legal or mental accountability; something that you SHOULD do.

Example: voting, volunteering your time, running for political office

Responsibilities of a Responsible Person

Taking care of oneselfSupporting one’s family, caring,

educating one’s childrenAccepting accountability for one’s

actionsAdhering to moral principlesConsidering the rights/interest of

others Behaving in a Civil manner

Responsibilities & Duties as a Citizen

Obeying the laws of societyPaying taxesRespecting the rights and liberties of othersBeing informed/paying attention to public issuesDeciding whether/how to productively contribute

to society.Participating in Civic GroupsPerforming Public ServiceServing as a Juror