What percentage of political ads are worthless mumbo-jumbo?

[kentuck]

And say virtually nothing to connect to the voters?

Should more time be spent on the message rather than just face time on television?

Personally, I see very few ads that address the important issues that are important to the majority of the people.

One 15-second ad that connects with the truth would be more effective than a million dollars spent on the usual attack ad by the political Parties, in my humble opinion.

For example, "Obamacare and Kynect are the same thing. Mitch McConnell wants to repeal your coverage root and branch".

"Our economy was on the verge of another depression. However, we are now creating jobs at the best rate since 2006. We finally have the train back on the tracks. Don't let them wreck our economy again."

[shenmue]

1. The ones that say "Republican" at the end

[liberal N proud]

2. If only it were that easy. In this year of denying your party affiliation...

Ads don't even indicate they are in any political party.

They are all ether so ashamed of how their party has performed or afraid of the other guys mantra that all parties are the same.

[shenmue]

4. I know

I think there should be a rule you have to list your party.

[deaniac21]

3. 100%

[kentuck]

5. I think Democrats are over-estimating the value of money over ideas...

There is a lot lacking in their messaging, in my opinion. Simply trying to compete with Republicans to see who can get the most contributions is a loser. You have to beat them with ideas and message. Money cannot buy those. They come from the people.

[Paper Roses]

6. Most of them. n/t

[sadoldgirl]

7. Sorry to say, but the Repuglicons have

the best bumper sticker adds. I have no idea why. They attack as well as count on short memory span, and always use the fear factor.

Democrats sound rather lame in comparison and very often defensive.

Either we choose the wrong people to frame the message or we are too afraid to provoke people's sensitivities.

[bigwillq]

8. 100 percent

I dislike any and all political ads, mailings, phone calls, e-mails.

[treestar]

9. All

I would never vote based on a political ad.

Which is why I give the party workers some leeway - they likely researched it. They are trying to reach that type of person.

Most commercials wouldn't sell me anything, but the vast majority clearly is different or they wouldn't run the ads.

[Jamastiene]

10. 100, at least it seems to me.

All of them seem like attack ads here in NC, at least they do to me, in my district. They point out nothing positive about themselves, but instead point out negatives about the other person. In primaries, it is counterproductive, because the negatives that Democrats dig up on each other then get recycled (the ONE time Republicans will bother to recycle anything) to use against said Democrats when the general election comes around. Some of the things they actually argue about here are things like the ex-mayor of Rockingham voted for the Medicaid Expansion, so the ACA could work as intended instead of in gutted form with a loophole that leaves many of us in financial trouble. They point that out like it is a bad thing that he voted for us not to go bankrupt. Those of us who would have received help through that already knew that. So, really, it accomplished nothing.

They should have a web site with each candidate's stances on issues, both in detail and a summary. Add their voting record if they are an incumbent. Each candidate should be required to fill out the information on said web site. That would help way more than dealing with all these hideous commercials, the spam, and the junk mail that nobody wants to see. No one likes to be intruded on in their own homes. Allow people to see for themselves what each candidate stands for and vote accordingly.

The way they are doing it right now allows ignorant types who don't want to bother reading a little to just be told who to vote for based on their various prejudices (Yes, Republicans, I am talking about you) and do that. Ask them a question about issues outside of their bigoted focus and they cannot even answer it. They just know who hates the gays, women, Mexicans, and black people enough for their tastes. That's all they seem to care about.

[kentuck]

11. I think most folks automatically shut off when they see an "attack ad" against their candidate?

Rather than attack the opponent, I think it is much more effective to address the voter personally. For example, appeal to their healthcare needs, their education, their jobs, their security, or numerous other things, other than the opponent took "$2 billion dollars from the Koch Brothers". Most don't really care about that. It needs to talk to them personally.

[Ampersand Unicode]

12. 100 percent.

All advertising is bullshit. Psychological manipulation aimed at getting you to buy a product.

In this case, politicians are trying to sell you an agenda that they're hoping you'll buy.

Whether the claims are true or not doesn't really matter.

[Recursion]

13. They do address the issues important to the majority of the people

You are deeply convinced the majority of the people are wrong in their priorities.