A Little Birdie in a Suit Said So

http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2007/10/a-mystery.html

Hilzoy over at ObiWings also read the article on McCain in the Times and is genuinely wondering "why does this kind of thing work?"

There are two important things that I think answer the question of why I think 'anonymous' smear campaigns work.

First, it important to remember that for the average American voter keeping up with American Idol is more important than the Presidential election (let alone primaries, where whisper campaigns are most often used). For those of us in the small minority who are part of the political process or covering it daily it is unimaginable that a flier with 'Mrs. McCain is a coke whore' plastered on it would incite any reaction other than a frantic Google search and wtf emails to our favorite muckrakers. But seriously, for most folks it goes in one ear and then takes up quiet residence in the subconscious. When election day comes they get in the booth, try to remember what they have heard about the names on the ballot, and then think: 'McCain? Oh yeah, the POW guy with the coke whore wife.'

The second important part is that for us participants it is an anonymous whispering campaign, but for the person getting those calls it is in the guise of a polling firm. As Uncle Rico in Napolean Dynamite knows if people are going to take you serious you need something to look real official - you know like a name badge with your picture on it. It is unimaginable that Gallup would ask 'If you knew the President was a confirmed communist would you be more or less inclined to vote for him?' But avergae Joe doesn't know the difference between Gallup and Gellup, so he gives each one the same benefit of the doubt.