Childish & Immature

[meow]

I don't know all the facts on this but I was listening to it on the radio this morning.

I think its childish that the US presidential candidates are pulling punches at one another, the latest being ad campaigns; Bush with his wolves (Kerry is too weak) and Kerry with his Ostrich (Bush has his head buried in the sand).

Wouldn't it make more sense to focus on their own campaigns rather than waste taxpayers money on stupid ads trying to demote and degrade each other?

To someone who has absolutely no interest vested in the election and an onlooker, the two of them sound like playground enemies trying to knock each other with silly childhood pranks.

Boys will be boys!

:ohboy

[Vicks]

I think politics is politics anywhere you go. The British newspapers are notorious for running scandelous articles about people. It would always be nice if people responded to facts, but we live in a world where "image" and "sound bites" determine who wins things. Which is probably not ideal, but it is how the world runs. I would be curious as to if other countries, such as Ireland and Britain can remember similar types of political adds?

Vicks

[Feak]

My thoughts exactly! Hell, I could bitch about any political party till the cows come home, I know enough about what's WRONG with them from all the adverts (even in the :uk it's just slagging off the other party)... but I couldn't tell you anything really positive about any of them to be honest, not from the media anyway. I think that's sad, so wonder so many people feel so apathetic and despairing about politics at the moment! People here are saying a lot that they're not bothering vote because they've lost faith in all parties, surely giving us somthing positive about themselves would help with this!

You've taken the words right out of my mouth Meow, and it bugs me too :mad (them, not you :winky)

[Vicks]

Feak - just wanted to point something out that actually a lot of people feel that the turn out this year will be higher than in past years, because of all of the hot button issues, that are at stake. I also, am a real true beleiver, that the only way politicians, media ect.. change is if the public demands that change. The politicians, give us what we want via the media, and what most people want are sound bites. I hope you will get out and vote, and if you know someone who isn't voting, drag them to the polls, to many things are on the line this year for people to stay apathetic.

Vicks

[meow]

I would be curious as to if other countries, such as Ireland and Britain can remember similar types of political adds

I know the political parties here use similiar 'tactics' in general & local elections, but I honestly can't recall presidential candidates being so petty and well.....bitchy!

Thankfully we won't have to endure a presidential election here for another seven yrs- Mary McAleese was re-elected without opposition.

The British newspapers are notorious for running scandelous articles about people.

Yep yep yep!

[gone]

Negative ads are my favorite part of campaigns, to be honest.

Yeah, I guess you could call them childish. But some of them really do work. And that's why politicians do them.

Would it be smarter to concentrate on issues? Absolutely. But it's my cynical opinion that people are not rational voters and don't vote according to issues; rather, they vote for the candidate that makes them feel "safe," or has nice hair, or the one that their friends are voting for, etc. Looking at it under that lens, it makes complete sense for politicians to do negative ads.

One thing you might want to consider- elections have been MUCH nastier in the past than they are today. Candidates used to allege that the other person was a bastard, etc... check out some of the stories from old presidential campaigns from the eighteen hundreds. They got VISCIOUS then. This seems more dignified these days and much more toned down.

[New-Bride]

:hugon Meow :hugoff

Oh boy would that make tv much more tolerable these days. I also think it would be alot easy for the undecided voters to make their decisions is each candidate would actually just stand to discuss their platforms instead of just slinging mud.

Excellent point meow :idea

[Shauna]

I'd have to say that some of the ads (not the one you mentioned) DO focus on the points and it helps give the voters a chance to see the whole picture.