In Politics, Aim for the Heart, Not the Head

Washington Post ^ | 18 September 2006 | Shankar Vedantam

[shrinkermd]

"...What the researchers wanted to study was the contrast between rational and emotional appeals in political persuasion. The questionnaire's appeal was rational. It asked people who wanted a more egalitarian society to vote their views on policy matters. The letter's appeal was emotional: "We beg you in the name of those early memories and spring-time hopes to support the Socialist ticket in the coming elections!" it said. When the election was over, the Socialist vote increased by 35 percent over the previous election in the sections of the city that received the rational appeal. In the sections that received the emotional appeal, the Socialist vote increased by 50 percent...

[shrinkermd]

And, the Washington Post still practices what it writes about.

[jdsteel]

Oldtimers no bellyfeel freepers.

[Paladin2]

Here's what makes sense to me:

If the 'rats want Republican types (whatever that means) to vote for them they have to appeal to logic (something they inherently may not be capable of doing). So far, so good as the 'rats can't seem to frame a logical argument (see GB's Parliament for counter examples)

For the Republicans to attract 'rat types, they will have to find an appropriate emotional chord to strike (Compassionate conservative comes to mind). Sounds like Rove may understand this, while the 'rats are dumbstruck with Rove's "Power". BBWWHHHAAAA!

[Erasmus]

I thought this was going to be about assassinations.