When to use Positive/Negative ads?

If there's an issue where both candidates have the same stance, should I use a positive or a negative ad?

For example, let's say that my candidate (Kerry) and the other candidate (Bush) are both "Pro New Jobs". When would I want to run a "Kerry Supports New Jobs" ad versus a "Bush Opposes New Jobs" ad?

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mormegil

Join Date 03/2001

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A quick guide to Ads is this. (And I am not the best player in the world)

First thing first. If you place any kind of add you make that issue more important in that state. So if you say "I favor Tax Cuts" Tax Cuts become more important in that state. And you "Positive" value on that issue goes up.

However if everyone in that state is against Tax Cuts, you just made them care more about it. And they go "I'm not voting for him, he wants tax cuts" However if the majority wants tax cuts you get more of them willing to vote for you because of tax cuts.

Now if you want you can say "I oppose Tax Cuts" and if the state oppose Tax Cuts, your standing goes down. And people go "I'm going to vote for him because he wont cut taxes" Hopefully this is not to confusing.

As to Negative adds. (Or adds against you opponent) it works the same way. If the state opposes tax cuts, you can point out that your opponent supports them.

Or if the state loves tax cuts you can point out that he opposes them.

Now. This is all a bit much, but is quite simple math wise.

I Favor. Issues goes Up in importance, and your standing Goes up in value.
I Oppose. Issue goes up in importance, and Your standing goes down in value

Opponent Favors: Issue goes up in Importance, and Opponents value goes up
Opponent Opposes: Issue goes up in Importance, and Opponents Value goes down.

OK, one more thing. These all depend on The Type of voters in a state, and the %Democrat %Republican & Independent.

And one last thing. Adds work better If they are true. If You are running as a Democrat and you say you support Abortion Rights this will make the issue more important and More democrats will vote for you, as some independents, and a few Republicans.

But if you are a Republican, and you say you support Abortion Rights. Then very few democrats will come over to you, and since most of the Republican don’t support it very few of them will vote for you on that ground. Also you have just made that issue more important in that state and if your stand is high on it, you have just lost the vote of all the people who oppose it.

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Interesting. Thanks for the tips.

--James

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