Customer Reviews

In Defense of Negativity: Attack Ads in Presidential Campaigns (Studies in Communication, Media, and Public Opinion)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful book which directly challenges conventional wisdom regarding negative ads. Geer convincingly argues negative advertising is good for democracy. He notes negative ads are more likely to address important issue differences between candidates and provide supporting evidence. Positive ads are mostly fluff, do not address issues, and do not provide any supporting evidence regarding the candidates claims. He ultimately compares negative ads to eating spinach. We don't like it, but it is good for us. This is a great book for upper division or graduate courses on campaigns or the Presidency.

Dr. Phillip Ardoin
Dept of Govt and Justice Studies
Appalachian State University

This book is a very interesting read. Geer writes very well and has done very thorough research to back his assertions. This book looks at why attack ads can be helpful because they push your opponent to speak to the issue he is being attacked on.

Very relevant with the Primaries winding down and the 2008 general election coming up soon.