Can persuasion based on advertising and marketing techniques work in politics?
If you’re looking for an example of how advertising is a really corrosive force in society, I advise you to look away from consumer product advertising and just look at political advertising, because it’s a stain on our democracy. If you’re selling soup or soap or oatmeal or automobiles, one thing you basically have to do is tell the truth — not the eternal truth, but the factual truth. Sometimes you put your best foot forward, but you have to fundamentally not mislead people, not overly exaggerate. There’s a limit to the amount of puffery that you’re entitled to. You basically have to stick to the facts, because even if the government doesn’t do anything about it, your competitors are going to drag your ass into federal court, and they’re going to sue you, and they’re going to make your life a living hell. And while they’re doing that, your campaign is off the air, and by the way, it’s in the newspapers, and you’re taking a lot of hits to your brand image. So by and large, advertisin
