Unforeseen Opportunity in an Election

You are in charge of the advertising staff for Cindy Smiths election motility. Cindy is trying to prevent the eight term incumbent, Jesse Jones, from acquiring a nonher term in the U. S. star sign of Representatives. Cindy decided to run against Jesse because he wrote 150 bad checks in the House banking scandal, voted to not disclose the names of the people involved in the scandal, and voted to give himself a substantial pay raise at taxpayers expense.Furthermore, Jesse seems unconcerned with the debt crisis and has been criticized by the national press for funding questionable projects in his district at the expense of more worthy projects elsewhere in the nation. Moreover, Jesse has worked behind the scenes to prevent the Equal Rights Amendment from passing in your state, and as a extremity of the House Armed Services Committee, has consistently voted against allowing women to fight in combat. Jesse is also a prolife candidate who supported Clarence Thomas as a Supreme Court n ominee.Cindy has never run for political office before, and is running a grassroots campaign with only unpaid volunteers. She believes it is time for a commute in Washington, and Jesse Jones is a prime example of why the people in your district attain become cynical well-nigh politicians. Because she has not accepted any political action committee money, Cindy has only been able to afford a few television ads and has instead concentrated her efforts on radio and newspaper advertising.These ads have not provided Cindys specific views on what she plans to do about taxes, education, unemployment, social security, the debt, or defense spending, but instead have focused on her prochoice and pro women views and her beliefs about the need for a change in Washington. She has so far avoided even mentioning her opponent in these ads. Up until last week, Cindy was riding the wave of disenchantment with incumbents and was direct Jesse Jones by 10 percentage points.However, in last weeks deb ates Jesse Jones did a good job of pointing out Cindys lack of political savvy and came across as a patronizing father figure who understood Cindys frustrations with government but subtly stated Cindy did not possess the knowledge to make things happen in the federal government. These debates helped to pull the race to a dead heat, and the election is one month away. Jesse Jones has accepted a number of contributions from political action committees and has a sizable campaign chest.His initial television ads depicted him as a family man of strong moral character and an experienced incumbent who could get the job done. These ads had proven to be fairly ineffective, and Jones has now switched to negative campaigning. Jesses ads now state he is a pillar of family values and Cindy is a single mother of two who has been unable to mould or maintain a cohesive family unit. These ads also focus on Cindys views of unrestricted abortions, implying that electing Cindy will effectively murder 2,000 people a year in the district.These ads conclude by stating if Cindy can not get her own house in order, how will she ever be able to straighten out the House of Representatives? Unfortunately, these ads have been very effective. Cindys negative ratings are at an all time high, and you believe Cindys campaign has lost the momentum and will lose the race unless she does something to previse these negative ads. Including yourself, there are four full time volunteers on Cindys advertising staff.Megan is a journalism major in college and became involved with the campaign because of Jesses views on the Clarence Thomas appointment. Megan has never worked on a political campaign before, and has taken this quarter off from schoolhouse to lend a hand. Megan is enthusiastic, hard working, and idealistic, but she has microscopic campaign experience. Nancy is a good friend of Cindys and worked on the last campaign to oust Jesse Jones. She has also lent a hand in several school board a nd state representative campaigns.Nancy is very committed to Cindys campaign, although you suspect this devotion is due as much to ousting Jesse Jones as it is to her friendship with Cindy. Jack is the death chair of the student body of the local college. He has been politically active for the past three years, and two years ago he worked on a U. S. Senators reelection campaign. Everyone on the advertising staff was enthusiastic and energetic after Cindys success in the primary, but this enthusiasm has dampened considerably with the post debate poll results and with Jesse Jones elentless attacks on Cindys character. Everyone has give tongue to the election is slipping away, and Megan and Jack have threatened to quit and go back to school unless Cindy does something to turn the situation around. The cohesiveness of the group and your relationships with Megan, Nancy, and Jack are currently at an all time low. The campaign manager, Jenny OConnor, called you into her office today. App arently an anonymous tipster told someone on the campaign staff that Jesse Jones was having an role and had fathered a child out of wedlock.Someone on the staff followed up on the tip and has uncovered evidence lending support to this allegation. Jenny believes a negative ad depicting Jesse Jones as a corrupt father and politician would be enough to get Cindy elected. Although Cindy has publicly stated she will not run negative ads in her campaign, Jenny has asked you to take a day to think about running one on Jesse Jones. Jenny has also asked you not to discuss this matter with Cindy. What will you do?