Author Question: KNEA's president quickly admitted that the organization had made an error. Was that a wise decision? ... (Read 29 times)

chads108 · **on:** Aug 11, 2018

KNEA's president quickly admitted that the organization had made an error. Was that a wise decision? In your opinion, did his quick confession hurt KNEA's reputation? Or did it strengthen it?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In your opinion, are personal attacks effective in political campaigns?

What will be an ideal response?

mcinincha279 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 11, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The admission strengthened a reputation that had been weakened by actions
inconsistent with KNEA's values. The organization's reputation probably did not
immediately return to the level it enjoyed before the postcards were mailed.
However, it probably did not go as low as it would have if the organization had
explicitly -- or by its silence implicitly -- endorsed the questionable tactic.

Answer to Question 2

They seem to be. If they weren't effective, they wouldn't be as widely used in
campaigns as they appear to be. However, personal attacks can backfire and
hurt the credibility of their source. If the attack is based on false or misleading
information, the attack, itself, can become a bigger issue. The constant use of
attack tactics can also create permanent harm to the image of those who use
them. Many political observers said that the major reason President Bill Clinton
wasn't removed from office in 1999 for lying to a federal grand jury had less to
do with his innocence than with the nature of those aligned against him.