Dr. Bob “The L.O.P. theory of voting”

Dr Bob: “Why do people vote the way they do?”

Slept thru Poli Sci

Dear Slept:

As you would know had you stayed at least partially awake during one of your courses, there are several theories trying to answer that question.

I, of course, have my own which I call, “L.O.P or Least Objectionable Politician.”

You laugh, eh?

Let me explain the theory. Basically, it is taken from my own studies about selecting television programs to watch. My theory goes this way:

There are two types of television viewers: Assertive viewers and Passive viewers.

An assertive viewer goes to the TV with the intent of watching a particular show.

By contrast, passive viewers are not engaged in watching a specific program  Their primary decision is to “watch TV.”

Remote control unit in hand, the aggressive viewer tunes to his program’s channel immediately.

Passive viewer holds the remote and then begins to shop around. Click. Click. Click. No, that’s a re-run. Click. Click. Click. Never liked this show. Click. Click. Click. Well, this might be ok. Click. Click. Click. Commercials…Click. Click. Click. Ok, back to that one.

The passive viewer is not engaged in the activity of finding the best show to watch but the least objectionable program. He’s watching TV.

In politics its pretty similar. People first decide to vote (watch TV).  Those (of us) who have a favorite candidate (program) go right to that space on our ballots and vote. No channel changing.

Meanwhile others start a mental search for who will get their vote.

Click. Click. Click. I can’t pronounce her name. Click. Click. Click.  My brother-in-law has the same name. I  never liked him. Click. Click. Click.Ok…I think I remember this name. Seems ok. He’s got my vote.

The result: Least Objectionable Politician can often win by doing nothing except putting up signs can increasing their name ID.

Dr. Bob

About Bob Grossfeld

Robert "Bob" Grossfeld has 30 years of experience as an award-winning, political strategist and media consultant. He has twice served as Senior Advisor to Members of Congress, Special Assistant to the Arizona State Senate Majority Leader, and Communications Director at the Arizona Department of Education as well as the Arizona AFL-CIO. He also launched and was the Publisher of the groundbreaking online political paper, 'The Arizona Guardian." He has produced award-winning media campaigns and strategies for ballot measures, candidates for Congress, Legislature, municipal offices, and Native American Tribes. Bob is President of POLITICARE and Founder of The Media Guys
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