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2010 ElectionsReleases

Negativity Update: 2010 Features Similar Rates of Negativity, But Dems More Likely to Attack Personally

Dems and Reps are Similar in Proportion of Negative Ads, but Dem Strategy Likely Driven by Desire to Draw Attention Away from the Policy Environment (MIDDLETOWN, CT) Oct. 26, 2010 -- As we reported last week, “claims that 2010 is the most negative election to date may be premature.  In an analysis of close to 900,000 airings from January 1 to October 5, 2010, the Wesleyan Media Project finds that the distribution of positive, negative and contrast ads is comparable to 2008 in proportion, if not in volume.”  In an update to that release, and with a focus on House and…
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October 26, 2010
2010 ElectionsReleases

Negative Ads Prominent, Increasing in Number, but 2010 No More Negative than Previous Election Year

Tone of Ads on the Airwaves in Top Races Keeps Pace with 2008; Interest Groups Doing Heavy Lifting in Terms of Attacks (MIDDLETOWN, CT) Oct. 14, 2010 -- The battle for control of Congress and key gubernatorial positions are filling the airwaves with negativity.  Just under half of the ads aired so far this year were pure positive ads.  Still, claims that 2010 is the most negative election to date may be premature.  In an analysis of close to 900,000 airings from January 1 to October 5, 2010, the Wesleyan Media Project finds that the distribution of positive, negative and contrast…
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October 14, 2010