PoliticalPoints: Government Insider Spills

9/30/2012

PoliticalPoints: Politics quick, fast & in a hurry.

I was having dinner with a man who worked for a government official and his comments on presidential elections and voters were very revealing. He gave me permission to post his thoughts here on the site, but only anonymously. He said the following:

“Perception is everything, that’s why media is so powerful. If voters hear it enough via media that you believe or have done a particular thing, they will buy it without researching the accuracy of the statement or report. The average voter does not understand politics and every politician knows and takes advantage of that. They often systematically target demographics they know have limited political understanding.”

3 Comments

Crystal D.

9/30/2012 11:46:36 am

A recent Gallup poll showed showed the number of people who trust mass media being 58% for Democrats, 31% for Independents, and 26% for Republicans. Also, fewer people report closely following national news than during the months prior to the 2008 election. I would theorize that it's related to educational demographics. More educated people are more likely to research what the media tells them using other sources. Although there are many exceptions, the Democratic party is traditionally made up of less educated blue-collar workers and the Republican party traditionally includes managers and business people.

Marissa

10/1/2012 06:03:12 am

Which is why the republican party is often viewed as elitist and insensitive to the poor. The party is made up of people who can relate to the people that they govern.

Crystal D.

10/2/2012 01:47:53 pm

You're right, at least in theory. It becomes a moot point when you remember the incumbent is receiving a salary of almost half a million dollars a year not including book sales. Most candidates from any party were well-to-do before they got elected. The website for the Huffington Post (a mostly liberal news source) gives a listing entitled "America's Poorest Presidents". Of the Presidents mentioned, six of the eight were Republicans, including President Lincoln. Wealth or poverty isn't as important as how the candidate budgets their money. Knowing how to plan and save is important for one's personal life, and for government as well.

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PoliticalPoints: Government Insider Spills

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