Attack ads
We don't have anything like this in the UK. Our elections are short and (mostly) about the policies and issues. American elections are long and brutal, and mostly about the shortcomings of the politicians.
Nothing seems to be out of bounds. No dirt is buried too deep to be exposed. A baby kissed 50 years ago is reframed as a pedophile incident. Any trip or stumble is turned into an allegation of dementia.
And, of course, it's election season, so the attack advertisements are coming thick and fast. My favourites are from "The Lincoln Project". No punches are pulled, every silver lining has a cloud. The adverts are mostly a minute long, and are vicious, aggressive and accuse Trump of betraying America, killing Americans and giving the voters a stark choice - "It's Trump or America".
I'd like to find a similar series of adverts attacking Biden, but I couldn't find any good ones. But I did find this collation of ads over the last 60 years, showing that attack ads are a long term American tradition.
Go back further.
ReplyDeleteIt started in earnest with Andrew Jackson.
You research efforts are maintaining their usual superficial level, I see.
Good thing we are in the UK. This is drsolly's personal blog and therefore consists of his opinions and thoughts and he can say whay he likes pretty much. If you don't like the blog you don't actually have to visit it. Although it does add entertainment value.
DeleteThanks for the correction, but I don't think there any TV adverts in the 1800s.
ReplyDelete