Do you think that the American people have already made up their mind who they are going to vote for in the election? I, for one, do not care what type of ads are released from either party at this stage of the campaign. Ads will probably sink even lower from both sides trying to vilify the other. I have made up my mind and nothing short of one of the two major names being eliminated will make any difference to me. How do you feel do you think spending millions of more dollars on negative ad will change anything??
[question posted by whiteheather39]responses and comments:
You are correct that at this stage most people have made their minds up, but nonetheless negative adds are still run, because, unfortunately they can work, if they are pitched correctly and if voters deem they have a kernel of truth in them. Sad but true I'm afraid. Still, I reckon there maybe upto 10% of voters who haven't made up their minds and that is why the debates will be critical this year. [evanslf]
I believe a lot of people are waiting on the debates, and i'm sorry but I think that the debates will tell a lot about Obama. For one that he will not have the answers he needs to the questions ask. That it will show just how unexperienced he is. I think that his health-care that is the same thing Hillary tried to push through and it didn't work will show that he is not uptodate on what it will take to make a difference in what is good for the people of this usa. I don't think he has the skills to keep us safe and if he has to run to Biden for every answer then let Biden be president. [bdugas]
I am also waiting to see what truths come out on the debates. [whiteheather39]
There is a significant percentage of uncommitted voters...or swing voters as they're also referred to because they represent a large enough number of voters to change the outcome of the election in some states. I have not committed to either presidential candidate. I believe that the picture will be clearer after the debates and that more people will commit themselves to one or the other. As far as the negative ads...I've never liked them but they may be effective in swaying some of the swing voters. I would perfer more positive, factual campagn ads but someone here pointed out the reasons they're not as effective in another thread...but I don't recall what that reason was. [spalladino]
I have never really been swayed by ads I prefer to make up my own mind. The media I do not beleive anything except the date and even that could be wrong. I will be paying close attention to the debates. I hope the questions and answers will make the decision (at least for me) easier. [whiteheather39]
I think your going to find that although there are a good number of uncommited, that the majority are already there. Democrats for the most part are already voting for Obama, republicans are already going to vote for McCain. I for one am only about 85-90% there. I have at least narrowed it down to 3. [xfahctor]
Nit really for I do think people know who they are going to vote for they are wastingmoney on ads that could help out in other ways! [Lakota12]
I mentioned that to my sister the other day on the phone. I wondered if people were watching the debates and paying attention to the ads in great detail. I have known who I would vote for as soon as I knew he would get the nomination. There are certain issues I will not compromise on, and this particular candidate shares my views on those issues. Perhaps those in the Independent Party do pay attention to the commercials? Like you said, I think the money is somewhat wasted. [AmbiePam]
I have had my mind made up for a long time....but there are many airheads that will sway back and forth like trees in a stiff breeze. The media is godlike to many people and they have given over their decision making ability to those of the media that come up with the best byline. A majority of the people are looking for all the dirt they can find anyways just because that is the way human nature is most of the time, we all want to hear the bad rather than the good. Why is it like that....I blame media sensationalism in their effort to garner more of a following. [sumofalltears]
Great response! I totally agree with your take on the situation. [whiteheather39]
The Media and not the American people made up their mind as who is going to be our next(USA)President. Spending all this money aha aha, it's not going out of their pockets so what the heck they don't care. Obama collectd 66 million Dollars donations in August/2008. He spend some of it for advertisment and maybe some of it goes to his Bank account LOL. [coolguy01]
Obama has to give an account for all monies spent so dont flatter yourself! [thickchic]
It's all about the swing voters in the swing seats and getting the core out to actually vote. The sums of money involved are staggering, but then it is a big country and incredibly diverse country, each state requiring bespoke campaigning. [IsisGreen]
I'm pretty much decided at this point. I usually do know who I'm voting for long before the campiagn's end. Still, some claim to sit the fence until the bitter end. Presumably those are the votes worth millions of dollars in ads. I think this is going to be a close one and it will be a fight to the finish for those undecideds so I guess we'll have to put up with a lot more ads. I've often thought it would be nice if they made it legal to use ads only for the first couple months and then they had to rely on the debates to sway votes. Sure would save a lot of money. As for me, I don't forsee changing my mind but I suppose something could happen. Wasn't there an old expression about never really knowing what happens when they close the curtain on a voting machine? [irisheyes]
I also usually have my mind made up pretty much at the beginning of the campaign but this one has so much controversy about Obama it seems as if ads are just to blindside the voters. McCain's background is pretty much open and shut he does not seem to have any skeletons in his closet. I am really looking forward to the debates. I just hope we will get some answers to the issues that really are of importance to our country. [whiteheather39]
No, some people are still really undecided. I have made up my mind because I know that I would never vote for McCain and Palin. I am voting for Obama and Biden. [rogue13xmen13]
I know I have made up my mind, but I also know there are lots of independents and undecideds still out there, or there were just a week or so ago... so I think it still does make a difference, but I would rather not see the negative adds and see some debating going on. I would like to hear what both have to say about the issues... still I know who I am voting for right now. I don't need another add. [OreoCookie3]
What a sad embarrassing waist of money. Children are starving in the world and all they care about is raising money so they can paint the side of their jets. I am so sick of "politics as usual". I'm tired of watching people struggle to keep my utilities on while they raise and waist billions on negative ads so they can try to persuade us. The only ads I want to see are positive ads about what the candidate is going to do for our country. This constant digging up dirt on the other has got to stop. [WhatsHerName]
I know who I'm voting for, and no ad or information I hear or see today will change my mind, I've got it made up. I don't think they should be spending all that money on negative ads, I don't think it will change anything. I bet alot of people already have their minds made up to. [walijo2008]
I think it's pretty much wasted money now. I think the only thing that might change anyone's mind is if they were able to personally sit down with both candidates and ask them questions, which we all know would never happen. [myklj999]
I agree! IMO they are just ignoring what people want to hear what they would do on important issues not just dig up dirt. [whiteheather39]
Good luck to them. i dont know. [Greeneagle24]
I've pretty well got my mind made up. Although I am really looking forward to the debates. It would take a whole lot out of the debates to sway my vote though. I do think we are going to find out a whole lot about both the presidential and vice presidential candidates during the debates. I predict Obama might let some of his voters down but I also think Palin isn't going to do so well in the debates either. [cynddvs]
I know I've already made my decision. And no political ad is going to change that. Matter of fact I just ignore them since you can't believe half of what they say in those ads anyway. [TessWhite]
I've had my mind made up a long time. But I didn't let the media make it up for me. I took the time to get to know the candidates and what they stand for as well as how they act. There isn't anything that would change my mind at this point. I just pray we can get through the election without problems. [Barb42]
well i think that americans already have set their minds as to who they will support in the elections. there can be some changes, last minute changes during the actual voting, but i guess that would be minimal. [chiyosan]
We have a TV, but it does not work, and I don't hook it up because it does not interest me anymore, so I don't know about the negative advertising. What I do know is what I've heard from my aunt, and she is very enthused with this Sarah Palin woman. My aunt is older, 88, and most of her friends feel the same way. She is also an evangelical Christian, as most of my family on both sides. So, my guess is that Obama has already lost the white majority, simply because the young people who are for him will not vote. The Hispanics, who are almost exclusively Christian, were turned off by that statement he made, "We are no longer a Christian nation..." Whatever he said after that made no difference. So, that's it for their vote. And as to women, Obama blew it by being so critical and negative about Hillary Clinton, who I am not particularly enamored with, but she was campaigning as a woman for women. In short, Obama will lose. The only question is, who will win? Who will win? Will the American people win by such a poor choice, as it was in the last several presidential elections? I don't think so. Republicans should have ensured that Ron Paul was made their nominee, but they did not. We can consider it all corrupt at this point, and badly in need of reforming. Obama promises "change", and McCain promises "change", but so did Billy Clinton, and what did that get us? A President who completely abused his powers, and ran the office just for himself. The Bush's were no better. The first Bush was ineffective, though he was a good man, and the second one is a drunk, and can't even keep his own house together. We've all got to reform in our personal lives, then begin to look at who our leaders will be. And we need to do it quickly, because our very nation's future is at stake. [keymandan]
I would think that anyone who hasn't made up their minds by now either isn't paying attention(and I wouldn't blame anyone for that) Or they are just going to do Eenie Meenie Minie Mo in the voting booth. Especially those who are "enlightened" and "know" that there is no difference between the parties. [morethanamolehill]
BTW, Have I mentioned that Heather is one of my "Top 10 Favorite Female Names"? =D [morethanamolehill]
Mind made up. No add can change my mind, no grave digging for skeletons will change my mind. I will not allow anything to prevent me from going to cast my vote. If I don't and the other party wins, then I contributed to the lost. [MZKUMA]
I think that by now each individual has a good idea of who to vote for in the election, but as a group, I think the USa is still undecided about who should run the country, We'll see who wins in November. I'm not an American, but when given a choice between Obama and McCain, I choose Obama! [danishcanadian]
I don't know about anyone else but i haven't, just when I feel I know, I hear one or the other of the parties make another stupid remark. [savypat]
I am like you. I think a lot of the rest is window dressing. I wish that the money being spent would be used in a more useful manner. [GardenGerty]
The world is a stage and it'snot over until the final curatin is drawn....and somewhere in our time Politics entered this type of "Soap Opera" drama. We have several types of voters....and since Obama's announcement last Novemeber to McCain's VP choice this has turned out to be a very interesting display of how the voters differ. You have new voters (young and old) who are now becoming interested with all the ads one way or the other, you have old school voters who are either loyal to their party or their ethics, and you have what I consider the sociable voters....who are always present to make waves and then not follow through. Honestly, I use the ads for an added benefit. yes, they have a fraction of the truth...or a half-truth....or a slight fact. And then a week later you will see the actual footage or paper trail and realize it was not exactly as it was presented... Hey, if you buy into gossip you get what you paid for. So good luck to us all. [taface412]
I have to agree with you! I have made up my mind too and I dont need to see more ads! Yes, probaly most people already know, there will be those who wont decide untill the last minute. [eaforeman6]