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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Biggest Media Lie
"During the summer voters aren't paying attention."They all say it, Fox, MSNBC, CNN and the nets.
It's not true, people are paying attention.
If they weren't the candidates would not be campaigning.
think
(11,641 posts)but it's readily available, cheap, and the kids think it tastes great....
TeamPooka
(24,242 posts)nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)it is standard political science. Most voters, from surveys et al, over the last few cycles (as in a century or more), we know Summer is a low attention for voters.
Now that does not mean that they are absolutely not paying attention, things like the Bain Capital scandal will penetrate. But this is standard poli sci thinking, and not just for the US. THis is also the logic behind SHORTER electoral seasons in other countries.
TeamPooka
(24,242 posts)that the candidate who defines their opponent earliest wins.
Like Bush did to Kerry in the summer of 04.
Like Clinton did to Dole in the summer of 1996
Like Reagan did to Mondale in the summer of 1984.
The only people who seem to understand that folks are always paying attention, are sitting Presidents.
nadinbrzezinski
(154,021 posts)Which is my point.
Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)there is no liberal media. There are only different variations on conservative media which range up to conservative propaganda.
think
(11,641 posts)TeamPooka
(24,242 posts)so true
limpyhobbler
(8,244 posts)At least 90% of people already have their minds made up who to vote for. So why should they pay attention? Most of the news coverage is inside baseball type of stuff. They cover the horse race but there is very little actual policy substance. Why the heck would anyone want to sit through 5 Chevron commercials in an hour just to hear some regurgitated spin about Ann Romney's horse or Obama's birth certificate or whatever. People know theatre when they see it. It's certainly no more important than the business news on CNBC, or a committee hearing on CSPAN. Political junkies are paying attention to the presidential race. And that's cool. There is nothing wrong with that if someone enjoys the sport aspect of the horse race. But let's not mistake it for something more important than it actually is.