How has television influenced the types of candidates running for office at any given time?

Answer 1

In the positive sense; people in the past that didn't know who candidates were probably are aware of who more of the candidates are; at least the top 5 or 6 candidates: Hillary; Barack; McCain, Romney, etc.

I think there are still many lesser-known candidates even I don't know as much as I should: Vilsack for example. I think much of it is b/c of TV being one of the major campaign strategies and that is that you have to have so many millions to run since TV is so expensive, and if you don't you wind up dropping out. It's a shame, because so many experienced candidates seem not to run or have to drop out.

That's another thing: TV seems to benefit the more attractive and actually less-experienced candidate it seems. Look at Obama and Edwards. I think most of us would agree they are attractive and they have only 2 and 4 years experience; not that much experience. But if you have a lot of experience like Joe Biden with 30 years experience, it's hard to answer a question in 30-45 seconds which is what is often required in a lot of current interview shows today (short interviews for today's ADD generation I guess).

Answer 2

The first televised campaign, debates, etc. were done when Kennedy and Nixon ran against each other in 1960. Kennedy looked cool, calm and collected, and Nixon was sweating profusely, and appeared to be very nervous. That was a close race, and had the debates not been seen on TV, Kennedy may never have been elected. People also made comments about Nixon's "shifty" eyes.

Had Nixon won back then, he never would have been president later, with the whole Watergate deal. There probably would not have been a presidential assassination, and the entire course of history would be different.

Answer 3

Well out of 300-million people last election we had a choice between Kerry and Bush. The press ought to be ashamed of itself.

This year I see 4 great candidates, one has already jumped all over the place to look good in the press (Clinton), one of them the only thing that gets reported is there stance on gays Huckbee. Rudy will probably soon look like a clown because he supports a war against people that are trying to kill us.

Just that point in itself is crazy, the press makes anyone that supports action against terrorist and attempts to stop the Chaos in Iraq a clown. Bush is doing a bad job but it's not the wrong mission.

Well, bet we get two clowns to choose from again.

Answer 4

Personally, I think TV has ruined our lives. I'm 56, a recently retired elem teacher and we would be happier not knowing about all the great world tragedies in 3-D and rapes and murders and all. It is too exposing to a bunch of info that we don't need to know. TV just added "who is the best on stage" talent to electing the candidates and I'm not looking for an actor for a good candidate, I'm looking with someone with integrity and a past to prove it, not a handsome face on TV with smooth talking lips.

Answer 5

the liberal media has always influenced elections. we all know that the news leans far left anyway and they use it to their advantage.and now that fox news shows both sides the liberal media says that fox leans far to the right..actually it is good to have a little bit of balance in the media so both sides have a fair say.