American politics Quote by Charles Krauthammer
““Delta Airlines, you might have noticed, does not run negative TV ads about USAir. It does not show pictures of the crash of USAir Flight 427, with a voice-over saying: “USAir, airline of death. Going to Pittsburgh? Fly Delta instead.” And McDonald’s, you might also have noticed, does not run ads reminding viewers that Jack in the Box hamburgers once killed two customers. Why? Because Delta and McDonald’s know that if the airline and fast-food industries put on that kind of advertising, America would soon be riding trains and eating box-lunch tuna sandwiches. Yet every two years the American politics industry fills the airwaves with the most virulent, scurrilous, wall-to-wall character assassination of nearly every political practitioner in the country—and then declares itself puzzled that America has lost trust in its politicians.””
About This Quote
The passage critiques how commercial advertisers avoid negative ads, while political ads are relentlessly negative, paradoxically eroding public trust.
In simple terms: Ads for products stay positive, but political ads are harsh, harming trust.
Key Takeaway
Demand higher ethical standards for political advertising.
Themes
media ethics
politics
advertising
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
policy-oriented
When to use this quote
- campaign messaging
- media regulation
- public relations
- consumer branding
Key Concepts
public trust
communication strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- Should political ads be held to the same standards as commercial ads?
- What mechanisms can improve political ad honesty?
A Different Perspective
Political ads may be justified as free speech, complicating regulation.
