German Engineering: 1 TV Ad Per Candidate In An Election

Hmmmmm…

The comparative lack of political advertising on the airwaves here would be almost inconceivable to an American swing-state voter, who during presidential election season is bombarded by round-the-clock political advertising. Here in Germany, the air war isn’t really an air war: it’s more of a minor disagreement (and a polite one, of course).

And instead of myriad ads on different topics featuring different people, each party in Germany typically releases just one main minute-and-a-half ad for the entire election.

I know, I know, political advertising…free speech…but just imagine how nice this would be.

There is also the fact that television ads don’t work as well as they use to in politics. Unfortunately, it’s going to take the parties and the consultants another decade or so to figure that out.