FLINT (WJRT) -
(02/02/12) - We're less than four weeks away from the Michigan Primary. So far, voters here have been mostly spared from the barrage of attack ads that filled South Carolina and Florida airwaves.
We're talking about those Super PAC ads -- the ones that apparently support a candidate, but aren't directly associated with them. Because of a 2010 Supreme Court ruling, there's no limit on the amount of money these Super PACs can spend. And as we've seen, they seem to be able to say whatever they want -- whether it's factual or not.
"I think a Super PAC is a candidate's dream come true," said University of Michigan - Flint economics professor Chris Douglas.
Douglas believes those groups work to the candidates' advantage, since Super PACs support the candidate without being directly associated with them.
So even if the ads contain factual errors, "They can kind of just throw up their hands and say, 'Hey, it's not us, it's them.' Even though it's kind of like *wink, wink,* it's really them," Douglas said.
Political speech has traditionally enjoyed a high of degree of protection under the First Amendment. That's why the Super PACs can say pretty much whatever they want, as long as it's not libelous or slanderous.
"People complain about negative ads. They say, 'I wish politics was more positive.' But, voters respond to negative ads," Douglas said.
We've gotten a lot of reaction to this story on our Facebook wall. Patricia writes, "Ask your viewers, how often they use the mute buttons on their TV control. By November, mine will need replacing!"
And Kim said, "I think only the candidates should be allowed to run ads during elections. No one should rely on any candidates' ads. Do your own research. Ninety-nine percent of the ads are misleading."
There are non-partisan websites like www.factcheck.org and www.politifact.com that can help you sort through the ads' claims.
