Advertisements Spread Rumors about Candidates

According to an article from the New York Times, presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain have been targets of rumors that try to sway the public opinion. Both candidates have received criticisms and false accusations in the form of advertisements which are based on stereotypes. The article stated that this year’s advertisements are particular because they are “stealthy” and creep up in a powerful manner from “smaller groups.” While some groups question McCain’s choice of running mate, Obama’s critics have drawn attention to his background, suggesting that he is “un-American.” The role of television and advertisement in relation to the popularity of the candidates and their public images are becoming significant as Election Day approaches.

Interviews With Democratic Candidates Reveal Grievances

During two recent television appearances, the Democratic Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates each mentioned a source of dissatisfaction with the other.
In an interview with Katie Couric on CBS that aired Monday, Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden expressed his discontent with an ad produced by the Obama campaign that attacks McCain for being out of touch with technology, saying that it "was terrible."
Similarily, during an interview with Couric's former co-anchor Matt Lauer on NBC this morning, Barack Obama told Lauer that Biden "should have waited" to speak about the federal government bailing out AIG, something Barack said should happen, but his running mate Biden and opponent John McCain stated should not.
While the media has been focused in on McCain's surprise choice running mate, Sarah Palin, it seems that the public eye may turn now to the imperfect relationship between Barack Obama and his, Senator Joe Biden.

Latest Field Polls

The latest set of Field Polls focuses on California voter attitudes toward the presidential candidates and some of the ballot measures voters will decide in November.

Palin vs. McCain: The Conflict Over Global Warming

A Washington Post article published today discusses the rift developing on the Republican side of the field over global warming. While McCain has recognized that humans are the main catalyst for global warming, Palin remains publicly skeptical. The article also covers Palin's environmental policies back in Alaska, which appear to be based on the premise of "adapting" to and not halting global warming.

Walter Lippmann from Public Opinion

If I had known the whole book was on-line I would have made you read some of it! Here's the link to the whole thing. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/Lippman/contents.html

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper/Lippman/header.html

The NYT McCain/Lobbyist Story

Remember this story from February? How does it compare to the Vanity Fair Piece on Clinton?

How Small Stories Become Big News

This is Politico doing a mea culpa for the Hillary coverage of the last few days.