Transcript Propaganda Techniques

Propaganda Techniques
Fear
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Placing fear in the
voter.
If you vote for the
other candidate, this
terrible thing will
happen.
Can use words or
images. (like transfer,
but in a negative
way.)
"We see America as the
greatest force for good in
this world. Our opponent
though, is someone who
sees America, it seems, as
being so imperfect that he's
palling around with terrorists
who would target their own
country."
--Sarah Palin, 2008
Name-calling/
Mudslinging
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Giving a
candidate/party a
negative label.
The aim is to
influence the voters to
reject the
candidate/party
without looking at the
evidence.
“Obama, reacting to
Republican allegations that
he "palled around" with a
1960s radical, fired back
with a Web video about
McCain's role in the
Keating Five savings and
loan debacle early in the
Arizona senator's Senate
career. His role in that
scandal earned him a
rebuke for poor judgment
from Senate colleagues.”
www.washingtontimes.com
Oct. 6, 2008
Glittering Generality
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When a candidate
uses broad, vague, or
impressive words or
statements that do
not have any real
meaning.
They try to convince
the voters to accept
their ideas without
revealing the facts.
“Obama’s tax plan will help restore
bottom-up economic growth that
helps create good jobs in America
and empowers all families achieve
the American dream.”
www.barackobama.com
“John McCain has always put his
country's interests before any
party, special interest and even his
own self-interest. He has always
and will always do what is right for
our country. “
www.johnmccain.com
Bandwagon
Undecided's jumping on the
McCain/Palin bandwagon.
“The Post's convention section tells of
some undecided voters that have
switched since last week, I have
observed the same phenomenon today.
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Attempting to
convince the public
that everyone else is
supporting the
candidate, so they
should too.
So far I have spoken to at least four
non-affilited women that have settled
on McCain/Palin.
One lady said that although she didn't
like McCain before, Palin has made a
compelling enough case for her to vote
for him.”
--PW Conservative, Sep. 4, 2008
www.blog.oreganlive.com
Card-staking
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Presenting only the
facts favorable to a
candidate. Negative
facts are overlooked.
“John McCain has a
remarkable record of
leadership and experience that
embodies his unwavering
lifetime commitment to service.
John has led the fight for
reforming Washington,
eliminating wasteful
government spending, and
strengthening our nation's
armed forces.”
www.johnmccain.com
Transfer
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Associating the
candidate with an
image or sound
created to evoke a
positive feeling
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www.barackobama.com
The American Flag
The Capitol Building
Plain Folks
“In many ways, she was just
your average 'hockey mom.'
She was active in her family’s
pursuits – including serving
as a sports team mom,
coaching basketball and
volunteering on the PTA to
help make her kids' public
education better. She also
runs marathons. Palin is a
lifetime member of the NRA
and enjoys hunting, fishing,
Alaska history, and all that
Alaska's great outdoors has
to offer.”
www.johnmccain.com
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A candidate tries to
convince voters that
he is just an average
American who will be
sympathetic to the
concerns and
problems of regular
folks.
Testimonial
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Having a prominent,
respected, and wellliked person endorse
a candidate.
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“Riding on the coattails” of a more
popular candidate.
“Colin Powell, a Republican and
retired general who was
President Bush's first secretary
of state, broke with the party
Sunday and endorsed Democrat
Barack Obama for president,
calling him a "transformational
figure" while criticizing the tone
of John McCain's campaign.”
www.npr.org Oct. 19, 2008