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SUMMARY:Expect barrage of negative ads\, says Vanderbilt campaign expert
DESCRIPTION:Voters should welcome an increase in political attack ads on the airwaves as the presidential nominating process moves into overdrive\, says Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer.\n\n\n&ldquo\;While Hillary Clinton&rsquo\;s surprise win in New Hampshire may lessen the push by some of her supporters to criticize Barack Obama&rsquo\;s record\, the public would be better served if all of the remaining candidates undergo this type of scrutiny\,&rdquo\; Geer said. This is true for both the Democrats and the Republicans.&nbsp\; &ldquo\;Many pundits view negative ads as counterproductive\, but nothing could be further from the truth.&rdquo\;\n\n\nGeer said that there are many incentives for candidates in both parties to run negative ads that address legitimate issues. &ldquo\;Attack ads contain more substantive information than positive ads\,&rdquo\; he said. &ldquo\;Therefore\, they generate a dialogue that helps voters understand the respective positions of the candidates.&rdquo\;&nbsp\;\n\n\nIn addition\, attack ads toughen up the eventual nominee for the general election\, when the attacks will come faster and harder. &ldquo\;How candidates handle the criticism will provide insight to how they might govern\, since those who occupy the Oval Office are the frequent target of harsh attacks\,&rdquo\; he said.\n\n\nWhether the public likes it or not\, the negativity is coming and that is good news for the political process\, Geer said.&nbsp\; &ldquo\;Some candidates such as Sen. John McCain may decry negative ads\, but we need to hear both sides of all issues\,&rdquo\; he noted. &ldquo\;Positive ads are especially poor vehicles for accomplishing that worthy goal.&rdquo\;&nbsp\;\n\n\nGeer\, a Distinguished Professor of Political Science\, is the author of In Defense of Negativity\: Attack Ads in Presidential Campaigns (University of Chicago Press) and co-author of Beyond Negativity\: The Effects of Incivility on the Electorate (American Journal of Political Science). He can be reached at 615-519-2496 or john.g.geer@vanderbilt.edu.\n\n\nMedia Contact\: Ann Marie Deer Owens\, 615-322-NEWS\n\nannmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu\n
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CATEGORIES:university-news,politics,humanities,2008-election,tipsheet
CLASS:PUBLIC
SEQUENCE:1
DTSTAMP:20080906T112406
CREATED:20080613T103553
LAST-MODIFIED:20080613T103554
ORGANIZER;CN=Vanderbilt News Service:MAILTO:news@vanderbilt.edu
DTSTART:20080109T140800
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