Horserace
October 30, 2008 3:00 PM

Poll: Voters Believe McCain Running More Negative Advertising

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Polls
As part of a poll to be released in full later today, CBS News and the New York Times asked voters who have seen television ads for both Barack Obama and John McCain about the tone of those ads.

Their responses suggest there is a gulf in voter perception of the candidates' efforts, with Obama widely seen as running the more positive advertising campaign.

Half of those surveyed say Obama's ads are primarily focused on what the candidate stands for, while thirty percent say they have been mostly concerned with attacking his Republican rival. Fifteen percent say both.

The perception is far more negative for McCain: Just 21 percent say the Arizona senator's ads are primarily focused on what he stands for, while the majority – 64 percent – say the ads have been largely concerned with attacking Obama. Twelve percent cite both.

We'll be making further results from the poll available at 6:30 this evening, so check back with CBSNews.com and watch the Evening News for a full report.

Add a Comment See all 41 Comments
by pcgamer1969 November 1, 2008 11:15 AM EDT
I seriously considered voting for McCain...until he picked Palin, allowed her to throw cowardly smears at BO, failed to give any sound plans for solving this economic mess we''re in, went ga-ga over an unlicensed plumber who complains that he''d have to pay more taxes for making over 250 grand per year (even though he still hasn''t paid his own taxes yet...), launched the whole Jeremiah Wright controversy all over again here in NC (a non issue, just like Rezko, Ayers, and ACORN), labeled BO as dangerous and "not like us" (obvious implication being he is like someone other than an American), allowed his supporters to shout "Kill Him!" at his rallies with nothing calm the bitter words...

All while BO has kept away from Palin and the AIP, Troopergate, the Keating scandal, McCain''s marital infidelity...

So I was convinced that BO cares for the entire country, not just the rich like his wife...(boy...wish I could forget how many houses and cars I have...)
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by newslink October 31, 2008 7:27 PM EDT
Negative Ads has been his Down Fall in this race. And the most silly Campaign that I have ever witness.Lying Palin, Crooked Joe,and Angry John has been a Comedy Team. From Day one, and we have never took him serious.
Reply to this comment
by charlesjr9 October 31, 2008 3:20 PM EDT
A hous divided among itself can not stand. America is going to get just what America deservrs. Is it America the Beautiful or Ugly-America all over again?
Reply to this comment
by azrael8 October 31, 2008 3:15 PM EDT
Perhaps McCain wouldn''t run as many ads if:

1. The press actually did thier job and vetted Obama istead of giving him a pass, or out and out supporting him.

2. Obama actually participated in the 10-12 town halls (since he is such a good campaigner it shouldn''t have been a problem), unless the veiwers would question his not actually saying how he will perform all of his miracles.

3. If Obama wasn''t a liar about using public financing. (wonder just how many minutes into his Presidency it will be, before he breaks all your hearts, when he admits he can''t do everything he said, because the economy can''t support it.)
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by seah5 October 31, 2008 2:15 PM EDT
Those Obama followers home in good on all polls, Clickable links insite the obama site.

They are so Obedient and do them daily.
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by julez41 October 31, 2008 12:34 PM EDT
It''s no surprise to me that McCain is viewed as running a more negative campaign, because he is. He hasn''t run a single policy ad in my area (Upstate NY) it''s all been negative smear tactics against Obama. Whereas Obama''s campaign ads have been more on his plans and policies for the future. Obama wants to unite the country where McCain would further divide the country. In my opinion there''s no debate on who is the better man for the job of President, the right man by far and away is Barak Obama.
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by brucie2006 October 31, 2008 12:21 PM EDT
McShame will loose Arizona, that will be embarrassing -
Reply to this comment
by Confidential416 October 31, 2008 11:49 AM EDT
I live near PSU also. I''ve never been a Palin fan so I just see this as one more McSame/Failin error in a campaign fraught with mistakes. So much for the experience factor - the experienced McSame can not even run a decent campaign let alone the country
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by Confidential416 October 31, 2008 11:45 AM EDT
John6Pack - I disagree - We are tired of negative campaigns. I completely shut McSame off as soon as I see him
Reply to this comment
by pjc27 October 31, 2008 11:14 AM EDT
I live close to PSU and you can be sure they will be offended, that''d be like Palin refusing to shake a flyers hand. Granted, they booes her anyway, but has she treated a flyer that way they''d have stoned her right then and there. There are some things you just don''t mess with in PA. So, for the very first time this election, my hat goes off to McFail. Great job! Keep on snubbin in PA!
Obama!
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