Presidential Campaign: National Debt

Econintersect:  A Washington Post article 17 April 2012 by Philip Rucker describes the strategy that Mitt Romney is pursuing in his campaign to defeat President Obama.   A single descriptive word used is “bracket”.  The objective is to try to campaign with “prebuttal” and “rebuttal” speeches designed to put the president on the defensive.  One of the key areas that Romney hopes to establish a bracketing move is the subject of the growing national debt.

The Romney campaign has created an “infographic advertorial” which is designed to compare the Romney position with what the campaign wishes to ascribe to Obama.  Click through the “Read more…” to see the complete graphic.  At the end of the graphic, Econintersect invites readers to comment on the ad.  Click on graphic for larger image.

Econintersect invites readers to submit comments discussing this ad.  It is suggested that one or more of the following questions could be addressed.  Please note:  This is far from an exhaustive list of suggestions.

1.  Is this an effective ad?  Will it reach and influence undecided voters?

2.  Is this one of the top issues of this campaign?

3.  Does this ad frame the issue in a way that puts a favorable light on Romney?

4.  Does this ad cast a negative light on Obama?

5.  Is the ad logical?

6.  Is this positive campaigning or negative campaigning?

7.  Which is more effective with the general voting public:  negative ads or positive?

8.  Which is more effective with you personally:  negative ads or positive?

If there are enough comments with sufficient variety Econintersect will consider posting a summary article using the comments.

John Lounsbury

Source and Reference:

• Romney tries to ‘bracket’ Obama, plans ‘prebuttal’ speech in Charlotte (Philip Rucker, Washington Post, 17 April 2012

• How Are Your Taxes Spent? (GEI News, 18 April 2012)