When Politicians Attack

Few people enjoy political attack ads, but they are apparently effective according to a leading expert on the subject. Psychological Researcher Drew Westen claims in a Los Angeles Times opinion piece that voters may consciously think an attack ad is unfair and ineffective, not realizing that the ad has triggered a subconscious reaction.

This medianote will also include the YouTube video of a 2008 negative campaign ad that Dr. Westen studied.

Here are the discussion questions...

•Do attack ads cause people to vote, or do they cause people to not vote?
•What kind of attacks create an emotional negative reaction?
•How does the anti-McCain ad create ridicule?
•Does the ad create a negative image through more than one channel?