Bush ads: He approves negative content up front. How are swing voters

[jean]

reacting?

Bush/Cheney ads start with that full screen shot of the right side of his face and him saying, "I'm George W. Bush and I approve this ad."

It seems like a given - you hear his first words, and sure enough, negative content follows.

I wonder if it's gotten to the point that people hear him, "I'm George W...." and tune out, without waiting for what comes next. That's how I react.

Does anyone have know how swing voters are reacting to Bush/Cheney ads?

[masshole]

1. I don't see many

Only the ones shown on the cable networks.
What I always wondered about is why the Bush/Cheney ads always have that disclaimer in the beginning of the ad - most others, Kerry/Edwards included, speak the mandatory line at the end of the ad.

Someone tell them it's more effective?
Or less "negatively memorable"?

[jean]

5. There was discussion of your point when Bush first launched his ad

campaign.

If they think the negative content is less memorable, or less likely for a viewer to link it to Bush I think they're dead wrong.

It's now a conditioned response in our house - even when it's a radio ad. I just wonder if swing voters are getting sick of him, since he is what you hear first and most of his ad content is nasty.

Even when he does a 'positive' ad, like the one last week where he says it must have been agonizing for moms and dads to have to decide which kid to pick up... while it's not attacking Kerrey, it's so morbid and heavy. Ick.

[LittleApple81]

2. YEAH!!! I am glad for the fair warning. I am so fast with the mute button

Just light lightning!!! And then I avert my eyes. Mission accomplished.

[NWHarkness]

3. I've noticed that

The "approval" message is at the beginning of his negative ads, and at the end of his positive ads.

I assume they figured that out from some focus group. I think his negative tone is hurting him more than it is Kerry.

[NewJeffCT]

4. negative ads are proven effective

over many years & many campaigns

[Cronus Protagonist]

7. But they never had the candidate in them before

..so this is new and I think the approval law is working to cause negative ads to be less effective.

SHOVE IT! - Drop Bush Not Bombs! - Hero Kerry AWOL Bush
http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[Warren DeMontague]

6. I'm George W. Bush and...

I'm an asshole.

[wurzel]

8. Is that the old Nick Nolte picture?

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Striking Resemblance, isn't it?