Author Question: What does personality over substance mean as it pertains to political candidates? Is there a case to ... (Read 16 times)

Deast7027 · **on:** Jul 10, 2018

What does personality over substance mean as it pertains to political candidates? Is there a case to be made that the media should cover candidates' characters and personalities?

Answer:

Question 2

If you were a media consultant and your candidate had an image problem, what would you do to fix it? Tie your ideas back to what you've learned.

Answer:

Kingjoffery · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 10, 2018

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1. Explain that the media are criticized for focusing too much on a candidate's personality traits and background rather than on the substance of issues and policy.
2. Explain that some people view character and personality as important factors in their voting decisions, and they find the media's focus appropriate and even helpful.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1. Discuss generally that media consultants either try to make their candidate look better or try to make the opposition candidate look worse (or both).
2. Explain how the candidate could be coached on how to act and behave on TV by using the results of focus groups and public opinion polls to bring the candidate's positions in line with what the public thinks is good.