Classic TV Ads

The propaganda technique called “Appeal to Fear” is where someone tries to get you to fear the consequences of not doing what he wants.

Prosecuting Attorney: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I urge you to convict John Jones of this crime of murder. We need to put him where he can never commit any crimes. If you don’t convict him, you may be his next victim!”

Which of these three classic TV ads uses Appeal to Fear?

Dwight Eisenhower 1952 TV Ad

Ronald Reagan 1980 TV Ad

Lyndon Johnson 1964 TV Ad

Post your answer in the comment section below!

 

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1 • jen daniels • December 02, 2008 • 10:02 PM

Lyndon Johnson

2 • Mike Westfall • December 02, 2008 • 10:15 PM

If you don’t vote for LBJ, your children will have to live in a post-nuclear-war world and all the horror that entails!

3 • Rebecca L • December 02, 2008 • 10:15 PM

Definitely the last one by LBJ

4 • Rene Y • December 02, 2008 • 11:22 PM

It looks like a dangerous world if you don’t elect LBJ, but that bear is frightening, as well!

5 • Sally • December 02, 2008 • 11:34 PM

Both Reagan and Johnson.

6 • Eric Roh • December 03, 2008 • 12:04 AM

Thank you for posting these three classic American political ads, and highlighting the misuse of fear by the LBJ campaign in 1964. The three ads disprove the usual media spin that Republicans run of fear and Democrats run on hope. Context, as ever, matters.

By the way, the Ike ad comes from his first presidential run in 1952 against Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson. Ike’s optimistic message lead to a comfortable victory during the unpopular Korean War.

7 • Adlyn • December 03, 2008 • 6:51 AM

LBJ, no question about it. Scary.

8 • Alice R. • December 03, 2008 • 7:34 AM

The third ad.

9 • Mary Beth • December 03, 2008 • 8:36 AM

The last one, Lyndon Johnson

10 • Donetta • December 03, 2008 • 9:04 AM

Actually there is an element of fear in all of them.  LBJ’s is obvious, Reagan’s subtle, and Ike’s very discreet.  “We don’t want John or Dean or Harry…” still plays to the fear factor—why don’t we want them?  Many don’t get it nowadays because many people don’t know what the others stood for or the issues being debated at that time.

11 • kate • December 03, 2008 • 2:50 PM

L.J. for sure. but R.R.‘s bear is a little to.

12 • cerise • December 03, 2008 • 9:26 PM

Wow!  LBJ’s ad takes the fear prize - no contest.  What a marked difference in tone between that and the Eisenhower ad!

13 • Lori Lynn Lydell • December 04, 2008 • 9:54 AM

Lyndon Johnson.

14 • Andrew H. • December 04, 2008 • 12:59 PM

It has to be the third one.
However, the “bear” ad does instill fear… kind of… The first one, “Ike for President”, I think is repetition and or appeal to the people. They march around saying “Ike for president” over and over. they also say “Everyone likes Ike” so i think it could be both.

15 • Micah G. • December 04, 2008 • 5:44 PM

LBJ

16 • The Ball Family, NZ • December 04, 2008 • 11:13 PM

First ad:  repetition and bandwagon.
Second ad: appeal to fear
Third ad:  appeal to fear BIGTIME and either/or.

17 • Ezekiel House • December 08, 2008 • 3:32 PM

Lyndon Johnson, for sure

18 • Erin Lange • December 08, 2008 • 8:42 PM

I would definitely say Lyndon Johnson.

19 • Chris • December 10, 2008 • 6:41 AM

All 3 of them have a level of fear tactics in them. The first one is the most subversive as it indicates who you DON’T want to vote for, which infers bad things will happen if you do vote for the others.

20 • Ronda • December 27, 2008 • 10:58 PM

Bummer.  The LBJ one is not available anymore.  I thought the Reagan one brought in some fear, though.  Be ready *just in case* there’s a bear…  Not terribly scary, but definitely making you think about it.

Very fun to see old political ads!  Thanks~

21 • Mesa Mike • December 29, 2008 • 4:06 PM

Dunno why Viacom thinks they have copyright on the LBJ ad, but here’s another link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkWAhuXtalw

22 • Christian Homekeeper • March 10, 2009 • 8:56 AM

Here is an ad by LBJ that uses fear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKs-bTL-pRg

23 • Ronda • March 17, 2009 • 9:24 AM

Hey thanks for posting another link—the second one worked.  Definitely a scary one!

24 • Christine • January 20, 2011 • 9:38 AM

the last one.Lyndon Johnson 1964 TV Ad

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