The mass media is believed to have a major impact on the decision-making of voters. Millions of dollars are spent by candidates and various PAC groups on political ads, and there is daily coverage of political campaigns by network and cable news. This assignment will have you address how accurately that issues perceived to be of importance are depicted/portrayed by the candidates and what you believe to be the consequences of these portrayals.
(1) You will focus on two elections: one local, the Senate race between Democratic Rep. Beto O'Rourke and Republican Senator Ted Cruz, and a second elction, of your choosing, for either a seat in the House of Representatives or the Senate in a "swing state."
Go to either FactCheck.org or other fact-checking web sites (i.e., the Washington Post's Fact Checker, PolitiFact, and choose what you consider to be four "egregious" (flagrant; outrageous) misstatements in the Texas Senatorial race – two by Democratic Beto O’Rourke, and two by Senator Ted Cruz), and then another four, two each from opposing national candidates in important swing states elections for either the House of Representatives or the Senate.
Summarize each ad and assess the extent to which each politician either "stuck to" or departed from or misconstrued the "facts of the case." Who are the “targeted” audiences – in terms of their social background characteristics – and how are the speeches or television ads that contained information - both true and misstatements - tailored to reach them? Do you believe that exaggerated claims and/or “negative ads” have the impact that candidates intend? If so, why? If not, why not?
What tactics and strategies to these candidates use to sway voters? To what extent are these ads emotional appeals rather than rational discussion of the complex issues involved?
Last, comment on what you believe to be the consequences of the misinformation spread by the various candidates.
(2) Watch political commentaries on FOX News, MSNBC, and PBS and compare the way information on the issues are presented to the viewers. How would you characterize each television station? Who are the “targeted” audiences and how are the news programs tailored to reach them? What impact do you think these programs have on the typical American voter? Do you think that the media has been doing a good job in presenting the “facts” surrounding the social issues/problems that you believe to be important in the current primary campaign?
