Analysis Shows Extraordinary Surge in Negative Campaign Ads
Seventy percent of the 2012 primary ads aired on television were negative, according to analysis released by the Wesleyan Media Project, an RBF grantee. In 2008, only nine percent were negative during the same part of the election cycle. The surge of negative ads correlates to the rise in the number of ads sponsored by interest groups; in 2008, 97 percent of ads came from candidates, while this year, 60 percent were sponsored by super PACs. This follows the the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United ruling, allowing political spending by corporations in candidate elections.