Attack Ads bite Hard. If in doubt, Bite Back

Stephen Loosley in the Australian runs through the history of Attack Ads. Yes I know everyone hates them, but they are very effective.

The first was in the early 1960s, when President Johnson, successfully branded Barry Goldwater as a maniac, ready to nuke the world. My grandmother was convinced Reagan planned to do this when he was elected and she hadn't seen any Attack Ads to come to this opinion. Clearly the central message of the ad must resonate with the viewer, niggling away at a fear or doubt.

Nowadays, most of the themes are more subtle and more sophisticated and researched, but it is clear that it is essential to respond strongly to an effective Attack Ad or you will be finished.

The Australian Election is still in an early phase, but the unions campaign against the Governments Industrial Relations changes have been very effective. We can expect much more as we get into the slogging stage of the campaign. Good for the bottom line of commercial media.



This is the original advert that consigned Goldwater to a political grave.



And this is a not too subtle lame attempt in the current US campaign to turn it around. Democrats are too weak at the knee to blow anybody up, seems to be the message. Personally, I think that it is a good thing.

Elect, our guy! He will make sure all those Anti 'Mericans, such as Communists, Atheists, Muslims, Al Quada Sympathisers, Iranians, Talibans and other deviant sorts...... are nuked back to the Stone Age if they get out of line. That is exactly the sort of stuff that makes many people outside of America worry.

Dudes, The Cold War is Over.