Political Attack AdsPolitical Attack Ads

Mitt The Ripper: Colbert PAC Attack AdMitt The Ripper: Colbert PAC Attack Ad

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What is the problem with the Mitt the Ripper ad?

What are political attack ads, and what are their purpose?

What is the problem with the Mitt the Ripper ad?

What are political attack ads, and what are their purpose?

Mitt Romney Killed My Wife! - Super PAC AttackMitt Romney Killed My Wife! - Super PAC Attack

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What do we need to be cautious of in this ad?

What do we need to be cautious of in this ad?

CNN sets the record straightCNN sets the record straight

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

So, what is the truth about the terrible thing that happened to the man’s wife?

So, what is the truth about the terrible thing that happened to the man’s wife?

You Didn’t Build That: Attack AdYou Didn’t Build That: Attack Ad

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

What do we have to be cautious about in this ad?

What do we have to be cautious about in this ad?

“You didn’t build that” in context“You didn’t build that” in context

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

So, what point was the President Obama actually trying to make?

So, what point was the President Obama actually trying to make?

Mitt Romney (to Olympians, offered during the opening

ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City) Mitt Romney (to Olympians, offered during the opening

ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City)

You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers encouraged your hopes. Coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches and communities.

You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power. For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers encouraged your hopes. Coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches and communities.

How is what Mr. Romney said, and what President Obama said, similar?

How is what Mr. Romney said, and what President Obama said, similar?

"My father's hands didn't build this company? My hands didn't build this company?" Jack Gilchrist, owner of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Company, asks resentfully. "Through hard work and a little bit of luck, we built this business. Why are you demonizing us for it?”

But now comes reporting from the field that makes Mr. Gilchrist's indignation seem a bit hypocritical.

"My father's hands didn't build this company? My hands didn't build this company?" Jack Gilchrist, owner of Gilchrist Metal Fabricating Company, asks resentfully. "Through hard work and a little bit of luck, we built this business. Why are you demonizing us for it?”

But now comes reporting from the field that makes Mr. Gilchrist's indignation seem a bit hypocritical.

Based on the commercial, it might sound as if Mr. Gilchrist is one of those individualists who don't actually need all of the things that many others rely on government for.

Except that it turns out he's not.

Based on the commercial, it might sound as if Mr. Gilchrist is one of those individualists who don't actually need all of the things that many others rely on government for.

Except that it turns out he's not.

The New Hampshire Union-Leader reported that Mr. Gilchrist had received a lot of government help over the years:

$800,000 in tax-exempt bonds from the state of New Hampshire, and a nearly $500,000 loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.

Federally financed trade adjustment assistance and even nearly $90,000 in military contracts since 2008.

The federally financed tax-exempt bonds most likely provided Mr. Gilchrist's company with a lower interest rate than a loan.

And the S.B.A. guarantees loans that banks wouldn't otherwise make.

The New Hampshire Union-Leader reported that Mr. Gilchrist had received a lot of government help over the years:

$800,000 in tax-exempt bonds from the state of New Hampshire, and a nearly $500,000 loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.

Federally financed trade adjustment assistance and even nearly $90,000 in military contracts since 2008.

The federally financed tax-exempt bonds most likely provided Mr. Gilchrist's company with a lower interest rate than a loan.

And the S.B.A. guarantees loans that banks wouldn't otherwise make.

What can we understand from this about what is sometimes said in any advertisement?

What can we understand from this about what is sometimes said in any advertisement?

How-to Make a Political Attack AdHow-to Make a Political Attack Ad

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

“Daisy” supporting President Johnson“Daisy” supporting President Johnson

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Considering what we’ve learned today, what are some things we might need to be cautious about with this ad?

Considering what we’ve learned today, what are some things we might need to be cautious about with this ad?