Dynamics of Media Influence in Presidential Elections: Analyzing Campaign Strategies
Join us for an in-depth discussion on the intricacies of media coverage in U.S. presidential elections. This session will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of election financing, explore the role of formal and informal institutions in the electoral process, and dissect the components of horse race coverage. We will analyze the strategies candidates use in debates and media outreach, the impact of political advertising, and the significance of both negative and positive messaging on voter perception. Perfect for students and political enthusiasts alike!
Dynamics of Media Influence in Presidential Elections: Analyzing Campaign Strategies
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Presentation Transcript
The Media April 25, 2013
Opportunities to discuss course content • Today 11-2 • Monday 10-2
Learning Objectives • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of how presidential and congressional elections are financed. • Identify and describe the formal and informal institutions involved in the electoral process
Readings • Chapter 7: Political Communication and the Mass Media (Flanigan)
Horse Race Coverage • What is it? • What does it contain • Why?
The keys to horse race coverage • Polling • Perception • No issues
Component I: Categorizer • Sorts the candidates into winners and losers • Creates an Image for the candidate • Romney • Obama
Component II: Expectation Setter • Puts odds on the candidates • You want to be at the top… duh • But it isn't as good as you might think
Component III: Mentioner • You want the media to notice you • Not all press is good press • Mentions mean money and votes
Component IV:Winnowing • The Press Winnows (narrows) down the candidates • Attention is on Iowa and NH • Frontloading is the results
Presidential Debates • A Recent Phenomenon • General Strategies • Do not screw up
Why Candidates Like these • A chance for exposure • A chance for Legitimacy • A chance to move in the polls
Presidential Debates • Who Wins (the leader in the polls) • The Person who doesn’t make a mistake • Does it matter?
Presidential Debates • Win by not losing • What don't you want to do? • The 1960 Debate • Seem heartless • You are no Jack Kennedy • Eastern Europe is Free • Adm. James Stockdale • Blind , Deaf, Dumb
The Media Strategy • Getting the Message Out • Paid Advertisements • Free Press • You campaign for votes and you campaign for media by getting free coverage • Avoid cannibalizing
Getting Free Press • Having your message get covered by the media • You can reach a wide audience and It is not costing you money • This is fully mediated
Maximizing Free Coverage • Create a package • Convey a winning message • Shape an Image
Maximizing Free Coverage • Don’t Say too Much • Repeat the Few Basic Points • Bad Press is Bad Press
Paid Media • Unmediated • Control the Message • More outlets than ever
A Record Breaking Year • 1 million ads were aired • Both Sides were overwhelmingly negative • Obama Spent more and Ran More Ads • The Best Ads
Herman Cain Bizarre Ads • The Rabbit • Smoking
Targeting Ads and their Effect • Uncommitted voters vs Partisans • When are they Most Effective? • Ads are a sign of political viability
Candidate Credibility • We have to trust the messenger • Issue Ownership • Try to focus on your best issue
Getting More Votes • Delivering a positive message about your candidate (mobilizing) • Deliver a negative message about the opposition (mobilizing/demobilizing)
Biographical Ads • Inform us about the Candidate • Very important early in the campaign • Obama doesn’t need to run these….
Issue Ads • Focus on a specific issue or a policy area • Associate yourself with favorable policies • Do not mention issue weakness
Examples of Issue Ads • The Bear in the Woods in 1984 • Mike Huckabee and Chuck Norris... • Hillary Clinton- Attack/Issue Ad
Attack Ads • The Norm Rather than the Exception • The Mother of all Attack Ads
The Effect of Attack ads on voters • Some voters become disenchanted and disaffected • Your Base Loves them!
How Effective are these • If they didn’t work, candidates wouldn’t run them • The Lessons of 1988 • The Revolving Door • Willie Horton
Why They Work and Who uses them more • We don’t trust politicians • They are more memorable and informative • Challengers and vulnerable incumbents use them
How To Deal with them • Defend the Charges • Counterattack on the same issue or up the ante- The Puppy Ad • Attack the Credibility of your opponent
How not to deal with them • Do Nothing • If you get Punched in the nose, you must punch back