Campaign ads in the United States this year all seem to have the candidate making a statement like “I’m so-and-so, and I approve this message” at the end of the commercial. I don’t remember this in years past; ads used to just show a “Paid for by so-and-so, Whoever Treasurer” blurb at the bottom of the screen at the end of the ad.
Is an oral statement like “I’m so-and-so, and I approve this message” required under new campaign reform laws, or is it just a trend?
Apparently, it’s a new law:
Think like this: A group of lunatic fringe republicans could run an ad that is Pro-Bush and beats Kerry to a pulp. It could reflect that it is the views of some republicans. But if GWB doesn’t want to be associated with this group, nothing would really jump out and let you know that. When you just see things as republican vs. dem, you might lose track of the fact that it’s candidate versus candidate.
So, having the candidate say they approve the message makes it clearer.
Thanks for the replies!