Many Suffering Campaign Fatigue As Election Draws Near

Barrage of commercials and media coverage irritating for some

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By Megan Edge

Story Created: Nov 1, 2012 at 7:42 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 1, 2012 at 7:42 AM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - There's no escaping it: the ads on TV, on the radio, on billboards, flyers and even at your door.

This is campaign season and the final push is on for your attention, your time and your vote.

But some people say it's all just too much.

Candidates spend a lot of money on those ads; more than $7 billion has been spent so far in the presidential race alone.

All that noise on TV and radio literally brought one future voter to tears.

Four-year-old Abigail Evans, of Fort Collins, Colorado, was in the car on her way to the grocery store with her mother, who was listening to NPR.

“I’m tired of Bronco Bama and Mitt Romney,” said Evans, sobbing. Her mother reassured her that it would all be over soon. And with a blubbering “okay,” Abigail Evans wiped the tears from her eyes. The YouTube video of Evans went viral and has been seen – likely with empathy –more than a million and a half times.

NPR later issued an apology. “On behalf of NPR and all the other news outlets, we apologize to Abigail and all the many others who probably feel like her. We must confess, the campaign’s gone on long enough for us, too. Let’s just keep telling ourselves: ‘only a few more days, only a few more days, only a few more days.’”

Evans is one of many Americans who are feeling campaign fatigue as we near the finish line.

“It just bombarded everything on TV,and what I am really sick of is the media involvement in politics any more,” said Ron Miller. “Whatever happened to the media being neutral? If you go to FOX: Republican; CNN: Democrat. It’s more like a media battle than a politicians battle.”

According to the Wesleyan Media Project, there are 50 percent more campaign ads nationwide this year than in the last presidential election. And Alaskans would see even more if we lived in a swing state like Florida or Colorado.

“I like seeing some of the commercials and what they are putting out there,” said Keith Dienstl. “Even though a lot of it could be bogus information.”

On CBS 11 currently, between 7 and 10 p.m., in what’s known as “prime time,” viewers watch about five minutes worth of local statewide campaign ads. That is half of CBS 11’s local ad space.

But how important are these ads? One Anchorage man said they help feed his family.

“I have listened to the radio, and considering my family is in the TV and radio business they can keep the ads coming,” said Billy St. Pierre. “It’s good for business.”

When we cross the finish line November 6, the world will find out whether those ads paid off and for whom.
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