Here are just a few tips from the League of Women Voters on making informed election decisions. Please visit the link at the end for more information,
including pdf files of the full step-by-step guide, and a candidate report card to help you track how all the options match up with your own priority issues.
See Through Distortion Techniques ...
All candidates are trying to sell themselves to voters. Sometimes their language is so skillfully crafted that they distort the truth in ways that are difficult for even the most careful observer to detect. Here are examples of distortion techniques that you should watch for as you review candidates’ campaign materials.
including pdf files of the full step-by-step guide, and a candidate report card to help you track how all the options match up with your own priority issues.
See Through Distortion Techniques ...
All candidates are trying to sell themselves to voters. Sometimes their language is so skillfully crafted that they distort the truth in ways that are difficult for even the most careful observer to detect. Here are examples of distortion techniques that you should watch for as you review candidates’ campaign materials.
Common Distortion Techniques:
--- Name Calling / Appeals to Prejudice: These are attacks on an opponent based on characteristics that will not affect performance in office. Accusations such as "My opponent is arrogant and full of hot air" do not give any real information about the candidate. Reference to race, ethnicity, or marital status can be subtly used to instill prejudice.
--- Rumor Mongering: These include statements such as "Everyone says my opponent is a crook, but I have no personal knowledge of any wrongdoing"
which imply (but do not state) that the opponent is guilty.
--- Guilt by Associations: These are statements such as "We all know Candidate B is backed by big money interest" that attack candidates because of their supporters, rather than because of their stands on the issues.
--- Catchwords: These are phrases such as "Law and Order" or "Un-American" designed to trigger a knee-jerk emotional reaction, rather than to inform.
--- Passing the Blame: These are instances in which a candidate
denies responsibility for an action, or blames opponents for things
over which they had no control.
--- Promising the Sky: Making statements offering unrealistic promises
that no elected official could fulfill.
--- Evading Real Issues: These include instances in which candidates may avoid answering direct questions, offer only vague solutions, or talk about the benefits of proposed programs, but never get specific about possible problems or costs.
--- Name Calling / Appeals to Prejudice: These are attacks on an opponent based on characteristics that will not affect performance in office. Accusations such as "My opponent is arrogant and full of hot air" do not give any real information about the candidate. Reference to race, ethnicity, or marital status can be subtly used to instill prejudice.
--- Rumor Mongering: These include statements such as "Everyone says my opponent is a crook, but I have no personal knowledge of any wrongdoing"
which imply (but do not state) that the opponent is guilty.
--- Guilt by Associations: These are statements such as "We all know Candidate B is backed by big money interest" that attack candidates because of their supporters, rather than because of their stands on the issues.
--- Catchwords: These are phrases such as "Law and Order" or "Un-American" designed to trigger a knee-jerk emotional reaction, rather than to inform.
--- Passing the Blame: These are instances in which a candidate
denies responsibility for an action, or blames opponents for things
over which they had no control.
--- Promising the Sky: Making statements offering unrealistic promises
that no elected official could fulfill.
--- Evading Real Issues: These include instances in which candidates may avoid answering direct questions, offer only vague solutions, or talk about the benefits of proposed programs, but never get specific about possible problems or costs.
Evaluate Candidates’ Use Of Television ...
Television is a visual medium dependent on good pictures and timely events
to tug at your emotions and keep your interest. Candidates are aware of the potential power of television and try to use it to their advantage. For instance,
in a newscast, the picture you see of a crowd, with banners and balloons, cheering for a candidate, may have been staged by a media advisor whose job
is to make the candidate look good on television. As you watch news coverage
of campaigns, be aware of staged events (also known as photo opportunities)
and try to find out what the candidate is saying about the issues.
The same warning applies to televised political advertisements. When you watch political ads, you need to be aware of how the medium influences your reactions. Ask yourself some questions as you watch: Did you find out anything about issues or qualifications, or was the ad designed only to affect your attitude or feelings about a candidate? How important was the script, setting, and music?
Television is a visual medium dependent on good pictures and timely events
to tug at your emotions and keep your interest. Candidates are aware of the potential power of television and try to use it to their advantage. For instance,
in a newscast, the picture you see of a crowd, with banners and balloons, cheering for a candidate, may have been staged by a media advisor whose job
is to make the candidate look good on television. As you watch news coverage
of campaigns, be aware of staged events (also known as photo opportunities)
and try to find out what the candidate is saying about the issues.
The same warning applies to televised political advertisements. When you watch political ads, you need to be aware of how the medium influences your reactions. Ask yourself some questions as you watch: Did you find out anything about issues or qualifications, or was the ad designed only to affect your attitude or feelings about a candidate? How important was the script, setting, and music?
The League Of Women Voters - How To Judge A Candidate
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