Reply #27: No, it *doesn't* work, at least not the way we need it to

[Oak2004]

There's been a lot of study on the effects of negative campaign advertising. The conclusion: negative ads do not increase support for one's candidate -- they lower voter turnout. Swing voters see the negativity, conclude both candidates aren't worth voting for, and don't show up.

Suppressing voter turnout is just fine by the current Republican crew. That's why they do so much of it. But, for us, it's just shooting ourselves in the foot.

Persuasion is as much a science as it is an art. If you want to understand how to campaign effectively, study advertising. The Republicans have been basing their campaign strategy on cutting edge marketing and advertising research for decades (I know, firsthand -- I'm a Republican in exile from what used to be my party before the fascists stole it). The Dems have been playing catch-up.