Political Strategy and Political Ads

        Wisconsin has a recall election coming up on June 5^th.  Our Governor and several state legislators are being recalled.  This election has huge implications in Wisconsin and may have national importance because of the public union issues.  

        The political ads on TV are running almost continuously.  The ads from the two parties are directly contradictory.  Two different sets of facts are presented.  They both can’t be true. 

        The real facts are relatively easy to obtain, but most people don’t bother.  Many people just hear what they want to hear for their personal agenda. 

        Most people say they don’t like negative ads, so why are negative ads used?  The fact is they are effective in spite of what people say. 

        How is political strategy set?  This seems to hold true for both political parties. 

        The first thing is showing the facts and the candidate’s record if that record is what the voting public wants.  Next show the facts and of the opposition’s record if it is not what the voting public wants.

        Next if the facts don’t support the position wanted, distort the facts.  If that still does not work manufacture new facts.  If a candidate’s current record is good, digging into his or her past may bring up negatives. 

        If this does not work, the candidate will have to be attacked on discrimination charges.  This can be any minority or special interest group, but radial prejudice and woman’s rights are always good.  

        One of my favorites is “Do it for the kids.”  This is a tried and true tactic.  It doesn’t matter if it is promoting a casino or a whorehouse; twist the facts to make it “Good for the kids.” 

        Don’t laugh.  There are a lot of examples.  Think about how most states sold the idea of state run lotteries.  The idea of raising money for the state, education and the kids was one of the arguments.  Anything emotional is good.  Don’t worry about the facts.

        Attacking a candidate that is a member of a minority is totally off limits.  The “African Americans for Obama” campaign is OK, and don’t dare suggest there is anything racial about it. 

        All other racial groups, woman and special interest groups are all fair game.  If no real discrimination can be found, dig into the candidate’s past.  If nothing can be found, manufacture it.  Most people will not bother to check the facts any way. 

        The last card to be played is sexual, monetary or criminal improprieties.  If none can be found, be inventive.  They will be proven false and lies later, but it will be too late.  The media seldom covers the retractions anyway. 

        All these tactics work because too many people believe the ads they want to believe and don’t bother with checking facts.  Please encourage all Independents, Democrats, and Republicans to get the facts.  Then vote.