New study results
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- You're no doubt tired of political ads. They aren't likely to stop until November 6. A study from the Wesleyan Media Project found that the number of negative ads this campaign has exploded.
"We're seeing an incredible amount of negativity this time around," said Mike Franz, co-director of the study.
Researchers looked at all of the top media markets in battleground states like Ohio. Columbus led the state with 73 percent of all political ads being negative. 67 percent are negative in the Cleveland market and 64 percent in Cincinnati. Nationally the average is 62 percent.
"You go all the way back to 2000 and the Gore-Bush campaign negativity was far lower, about 25 or 30 percent," Franz said.
Outside groups make up a large number of the attack ads, but Franz says there is plenty of negativity coming directly from both campaigns.
"This is a campaign that's being waged a little bit more on the basis of fear and anger than four years ago."
So far the Obama campaign and their allies are outspending Romney and his. Franz expects that to tighten up as we get closer to the end of the campaign.
Denver is the top market for political ads in America with 7,770 seen from September 9-30. Las Vegas and Cleveland followed. Columbus was 7th and Cincinnati 8th.
Pro-Romney ads focused overwhelmingly on jobs followed by health care and taxes while Pro-Obama ads most commonly talked about taxes. Jobs and education followed.
Franz also says this campaign has highlighted a serious negative issue with the Electoral College. While states like Ohio, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado have been bombarded with campaign visits by both camps, others have been completely ignored.
