CNN

They are annoying and provide misinformation.

There should be fines of one million dollars payable to the offended party whenever it can be demonstrated that misleading and wrongful statements were contained within a political ad.

They wouldn't know what to do.

They are annoying. American choosing who to vote for during the commercials for their favorite soap opera instead of getting the real facts. No one will admit it, but American voters couldn't know less about who they vote into office.

Everyone has already decided who they would like to see as the next President. The question now is who will show up to vote. Voter apathy is being pandered to in these ads, so yes they are annoying. As they are designed to be.

Jack why would you ask this question? Slick sound bites only tell us how far candidates will go to get elected by mud slinging, using half truths and sanitized audio/video clips that portray them as the next Messiah. What I want to hear is the truth and nothing but the truth.

Matt
Rockford, IL

I don't pay any attention to them when they appear because I know from experience that they are filled with half-truths and outrignt lies.

They're annoying. They are just an endless ping pong game. One candidate discredits the other and vise versa. It's just another facet of the campaign circus I've grown immune to.

They're like fingernails on a blackboard, but hey, we only have three months to go.

Gary
Jacksonville, OR

To put it bluntly, "Thank goodness for the mute button" !!!!! And that goes for the political ads for state office too... I have to assume that the people making these political ad believe in that old addage "You can never UNDERestimate the average American's IQ ."

Yes they are highly annoying. ads should be restricted to running only during the week preceding the vote and nothing else.

It already seems like the presidential contest has been going on forever, and the ads give the news media constant fodder upon which to feed. Endless discussions of what someone actually said, with original attack ad and counter-attack ad included, have given me a serious case of "I really don't give a s–t anymore." Actually, I do, but this period of the race is extremely tedious and nerve-wracking and I just wish it would be over. The exception is if someone actually talked about the issues and not the trivia that passes for news these days. When did we get to be such idiots that we could be swayed by this superficial b.s.?

Jack, Not only are these ads uninformative, misinformative, agrandizing, mean spirited they are absolutely boring as HELL. I consider them to be total pornography. Makes me yearn for the good old days. You know before these clowns could engage in air-wave polution. No wonder this country is in such a mess.

Hi Jack,
If the ads are from the candidate you support their informative. If they are from the other side, they're downright annoying.
Mark

Some of them are annoying, like the idiotic and false ones about Obama.
Such as, it is his fault we pay high prices for gas and the one that symbolizes him as "The One." These are stupid and if we elect the man who approves of these ads, we are stupid voters.

They are not just annoying, most of them are intentionally misleading. However, McCain is amusing to watch as long as there is a MUTE button so I don't have to listen, too. With the sound off, he looks a bit like an old wooden toy with the rubber band too tightly wound.

If any of them (Obama's, too, I'm afraid) had real substance, it would be different...

However, comparing their websites is instructive. McCain's looks worse than most MyFacebook pages, while Obama's looks like he actually engaged someone with web expertise to develop it.

They are informative when they help your candidate and annoying when they hurt your candidate.Let me explain for all those Obama supporters like Paris Hilton.McCains ads are annoying,but Obama's ads are informative.

As a rule, they tend to be superficial and annoying. When done right, they can be inspirational.........but that's not what we are seeing at this point, especially from the McCain campaign.

That depends on the ad. Attack ads need to go away, and calling them 'contrast ads' don't make them any better. Positive upbuilding ads that talk about what a candidate promises are actually good things. They allow low information voters a chance to become at least marginally informed, provided they don't have a TV recording device that can skip commercials.

Eh, who am I kidding - they're all basically crap and should probably be outlawed. Political ads are a valid reason why a lot of people don't bother voting - the whole process makes them ill.

Clearwater, FL

I agree with Jim, BC. They are both annoying and informative but if someone tells a lie, they should pay a heavy fine. Maybe we could then get the truth and could eliminate the annoying ones.

Any ad, political or otherwise, that contains false or misleading information that insults my intelligence is annoying. An ad, political or otherwise, that is factual and accurate is informative, or is at least the first 20 or 30 times you see it and then it becomes annoying, too.

They are a total waste of time and money.

Current crop have been extremely childish and insulting to the intelligence of the voters – would love to know how much campaign money has been spent so far.

Nobody can be informed by watching 30 seconds of televised drivel. Being informed requires serious reading, for which a lot of people do not have the patience. Whether the ads are annoying or not is a matter of taste.

Most political ads are replete with half-truths and outright lies. From an educational point of view, these ads provide little value, except to show how desperate a campaign is to spend money (particularly McCain's). From an entertainment viewpoint, some are very amusing and provide a degree of hilarity to an otherwise droll political message. "Bring 'em on," John, I need a laugh every now and then.

Gee, if it wasn't for soundbites people would have to read a newspaper in some fashion and may become informed. TV political ads are 100% crap 100% of the time regardless of whom the author. When they come on I change the channel.

Jack-

Political ads are ment to lure over those Americans who just dont know better. The ads use buzzwords and images to try and sway the opinnion of Americans- its disheartening that these actually work on some people.

Jack,

They are only informative if they focus on the issues from the candidate that submits them. Submitting ads about opponents is horribly annoying and "BUSH-league." Tell me what YOU want to do and how. I'LL decide how I need to vote.

Jack, it depends on if the ad is positive or negative, and if it’s about a person or issues. John McCain campaign’s recent ad about Barack Obama’s celebrity triggering the ad of Paris Hilton was obviously annoying. Her ad though being apparently funny and enjoyable was informative too. Any ad truly about issues or about solutions of the problems the voters are facing, are expected to be informative, if it was supposed to be so when it was made.

Shafi Alam
Austin, Texas
Now Tokyo, Japan

Political TV ads are plenty informative. Who knew that Paris Hilton could come up with a solution to our energy problems?

i find the ads about The One, and the empty headed celebrity to be hilarious. the rest dont impress me much.

Political ads are all a pack of lies. Thank goodness for the remote control.

Annoying! We already know who they are. Just compare their voting records. That is their Resume! The rest of this ridiculous buildup for the November Election is a marketing exercise designed to distract the country from the real issues. It gives the Media and Congress something to do every three years. An exciting Political Debate over the same issues we discussed last election. Then, we will have a year's Honeymoon, two years of arguing and finger pointing, and another year to run a political campaign. The cycle repeats over and over again.

Until later in the campaign when the voters who will decide the Electoral College are paying attention, you could say that the ads are a waste of money. Some are entertaining, such as the Paris Hilton ad, and The One, but these are the exceptions.

But in October, when millions more are tuned in, they can make or break the candidates, and if you do not believe that, just ask President Dukakis.

I have no idea, Jack. I love politics and follow the news and debates, but when it comes to commercials, and I mean any kind of commercials, I'm either in the refrigerator or the bathroom.

I find most political TV ads annoying. I particularly dislike the negative ads. The ads that stick to the issues aren't so annoying, there are just too many of them at times. I wish there were a reliable, unbiased source of information about the candidates.

When 90% of the country claims to be decided, a good chunk of the undecided voters aren't the ones who are critically evaluating the policy proposals of each camp, they are the uninformed voter. I feel like these commercials target them, so for the informed voter (especially one who supports a candidate already) they can be PAINFUL to watch. You either want to scream at the TV for McCain's commercials lying about Barack tax system (if you support Obama) or you are laughing at the cynical jokes coming from McCain's commercials (if you support McCain). I don't feel the commercials are targeted for me, so I just get annoyed as hell.

Well Jack the truth is if the candidates didn't keep doing these political ads the public would be saying they aren't interested enough in getting the job or they were unpatriotic for not trying to get their votes.

Glad you asked! They can be informative, but attack ads are more than annoying, especially when run one after another – thank goodness for the Mute button. Banning political ads from tv, prevalent in other countries, would be a great idea here. And that would reduce the huge amount of campaign contributions needed to run for office, as well as reducing the influence of lobbyists and big contributors. Can we pass a law to ban them, NOW!

Jack,

If only the American media can do their work of informing the public when a candidate runs an ad that includes elements of lie, if only they can call out any candidates that lie in their ad, would have been seen very informative ads.

Jack, they are very informative but not for the reason you think. The style of the ad will tell you all that you need to know about the candidate running the ad. If it is civil and states why the candidate disagrees with their opposition, then that candidate is worth reviewing. If it is a childish attack ad that basically states nothing the candidate believes, then don’t vote for that candidate. American should insist upon intelligent discourse, not name calling and pandering.

mccains are negative and annoying.obama's are mostly positive and always informative.however ,they are unnecessary,now,because we have the internet.if we need info we just look it up on the internets.anyone who claims they dont know enough about all of the candidates in the race,hasnt looked.

Decidedly Annoying! They never tackle real issues, such as our government-assassinated economy, and are full of logical fallacies.

Just look what happened to Hillary when she went negative, Jack.

The ads for my candidates are informative. Ads for the opponent are annoying!

I find them very annoying, especially the ones coming out of the McCain camp. Some of the things you already know are absolute lies and other parts of them you have to do a fact check on and most of the times you find out that they will have been fast and loose with the truth. So much for him running an honorable campaign.

They are nothing but entertainment.

If you actually base your voting decision on a political commercial, it says more about your own personal lack of intelligence than about the meaningfulness of the ad.

Mostly annoying. You hear the same-old, same-old. These are generally biased snippets Once you get the whole story from reliable news sources, you realize that these are generally sensational ized half-truths and spin.

Obama's adds are likley hurting him. They have the same kind of preachy, "you must be stupid to believe the other guy" kind of stuff. It is as irritating as used car adds.

Paris is hot, though - a welcome bit of comic relief.

Whoever thought up the slimy " 20 Second " sound bite
should be run out of town on a rail.

They are annoying but repetition of assertions – true or false – seem to have an impact with voters.

I wouldn't mind the commercials if the station carrying them would do a fact check following the running of the commercial. I don't know who to believe these days. I do enjoy a little humor in them. I especially liked Paris Hilton's take on the situation. I am definitely not a Paris fan; but she evidently does have a brain up there, and it is working!

Jack if the American people have not figured out by now what they think of these two political candidates then they probable should not be allowed to vote anyway. Their is not a dimes worth of difference between them. Promises, promises and more promises that they can only deliver on of congress allows those promises to come forward in congress. We all have seen this congress in action and it is a recipe for disaster under either candidate.
This is the most inept congress in history and that is putting it politely. We need to quit electing lawyers as politicians period. They are all just well educated thieves.

I'm from New York so I rarely see political ads on TV. Many thanks to YouTube, however, for making them available over the web. I can't wait to see which candidate lights up the unintentional comedy meter first with a nice heartfelt piece about how he'll fix the economy with tire guages or the $300 million car battery.

Baseless, Senseless, Childish, and these are our prospective leaders. No wonder were hosed.

Actually, these have been quite entertaining. Think how wonderful it is to see a couple of young women look stoic in light of McCain's assertions about them as celebrities and Obama. This did poorly for McCain but gave assurances of no bimbo effect to the girls. McCain looks foolish for doing so. And given McCain's penchant for searching for crowds of the sort that Obama creates, Sturgis was fascinating with the idea of Cindy being Miss Buffalo Chip. Campaigning has been wonderful. Gaffes a plenty!

Jack, it depends on what I am watching on t.v .. if what I am watching is dull and boring then the add is meaning full... if what I am watching is exciting ... I dont even here them...

Political ads are very annoying; however, sometimes they are funny.
In my opinion, ads are full of propaganda and how can you believe
them?

None of the above. Political ads are childish and should be on the cartoon channels for those who live in imaginery worlds.

Annoying at least most of them. If I hear McCain say my friends one more time I will scream. I do not think I could vote for McCain just so I do not have to listen to my friends for four years.
Paul
Texas

I usually change the channels if I see one, Jack. They should try to have a little more humor in them! Obviously this is quite a polarized election year, one only has to read some of the comments on CNN.com to see that. None of them are informative, all of them are annoying. That is why they are shown on TV.

Are political TV ads informative or annoying?

I don't know about the rest of America, but I am sick and tired of the attack ads from John McCain. I just turn the channel whenever he comes on my tv.

It is refreshing that we have a candidate that takes the HIGH ROAD.

One more reason to vote for OBAMA.

Jenna Wade
Roseville CA

Annoying and usually misleading. The people who write these things must think that all of us are idiots. They are wrong. Only those on the other side are idiots.

That last one with the Hilton girl, woa !!

McCAin's ads are truly annoying and that's putting it mildly. McCain's ads are truly misleading and dishonest. He' s the most annoying speaker I have heard. On the other hand most of the time I feel Obama
presents facts and data on a relevant basis. And he even knows how to use a computer..

I would'nt classify these as "Ads" rather they're commercials that are designed to create a need in voters to make us rush out and choose one political brand over another. The money spent by each party on these is absurd. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is...blah, blah, blah. Enough already!

Jack,Political Ads are soo annoying,the american people knows that the ads does,t not work.obama and mcain looks so childish attacking each other in those ads.the media has already elected obama for prisident!!!! Houston Texas

The purpose of ads is to convince the public to buy something. Political ads are no different, but they don't say anything productive or useful. So.....what exactly are they selling? Political ads are an irresponsible use of the media.

Jack: Political TV advertisements are a racket, like the movies and the brokerage business. You cannot be honest without admitting that their constructive contributions to to the average American voter is exactly minus zero. They are nothing but messages created buy ethical and unethical infants in hopes of persuasion......and in most instances annoying, to say the least.

They have been more annoying than helping you understand the candidates ideas. Instead of comparing one candidate with dumb celebrities, or things few people might see as "funny", they should be more worry about details on what they want to do to fix the economy, and bring back more jobs to the U.S.

Annoying. A simple read of the issues is enough to make a decision on who to vote for but the republicans are betting a lot of folks don't read. So we hear a McCain lie and an Obama rebuttle. What fun! Not!

Who pays any attention to what polititians say anyways, I sure don't, so why fill up the airwaves, and cyberspace with a lot of "Hooey"? Gotta hide that campaigne money somehow I would assume .

Television political ads have always been annoying. They are generally full of half truths or outright lies, and are scripted for people who would have to study to be a moron. This year, the McCain ads hit a new low that would gag a maggot. And we get to see them over, and over, and over...

They are annoying. They could be informative if they would state only what the candidate believes in and intends to do and delete all of the mud-slinging at the other candidate. Mudslinging only makes any candidate seem unsure of themselves and unclassy. I fear they mudsling in self-defense so they are stuck in the mud between a rock and a hard place.

Jack, informative ads are designed to comfort those that have already decided who they are going to vote for and keep them interested long enough to actually get out and vote.

Annoying ads are broken down into 2 classes: first, entertaining-silly-goofy ads are for the people that have no intention of voting but made for the networks to discuss over and over to give free air time to a candidate. The second type of annoying ads are the negative ads and they are the ones that are most effective at changing the numbers.....but not always in the way that they were intended.....sometimes they backfire and make the opposition candidate look like the victim.

Jack, you got to admit, the Paris Hilton add wasn't half bad.

Democratic ads are informative and show promise. Republican ads are negative and show nothing but anger and attack the very intelligence of America. Of course if I were a Republican I'd have to attack too because they have NOTHING to offer this country – never have never will.

Thanks Bush for the recession you still fail to accept, thanks Bush for the 9 million people who are out of work, thanks Bush for the largest national debt we've ever had, and thanks Bush for sticking the taxpayers of this country with your support and care for the remainder of your lush pathetic life.

They are extremely annoying,Jack, and thank God for the mute button on my tv! The majority of political ads are misleading lies that just simply turn most people off. Maybe if there weren't so many of them, they wouldn't be so bad. Someone needs to explain to the candidates what OVERKILL means!

Jack

I like the ones that outline policies and issues – can run factcheck on them and educate myself.

I HATE the ones McCain runs belittling Obama. That man is demented and can't win so he wants to tear Obama down.

I'll take Constitutional Scholar with refreshing ideas over Demented Old Ideas any day.

Thanks

is this what they were thinking of when they gave us freedom of speech?

JAck, if there was any substance to political ads, they might be less annoying. As it is, they are mostly lies, innuendoes and really terrible attack ads that do nothing except try to send out a message of fear and mistrust. Pretty sad for both candidates, especially McCain and company who seem to have fallen way deep into the gutter. Thank heavens for the mute button.

McCain's ads are mean spirited and childish, the jealousy screams out from them. Obama seems to try to answer them in an adult fashion, using humor instead of venom. But all in all they are not worth the money that is being spent.They are to sway a certain part of the population, and I am not being elitist, but those who do not use the internet to check out the voting records, etc of the candidates.

Not nearly as annoying as the never-ending political analysis' done by CNN, MSNBC, FOXNEWS and others. I wish they would interview people about what matters to them and lawmakers/candidates to see if they are on the same page as us. Isn't that what the election is all about?

Mary Steele
Yorktown VA

If there was a political ad channel it would draw fewer viewers than My Mother Car reruns.

The number of people who respond favorably to irrelevant ads like Celeb etc. just shows how sad we are. Ads could be so eloquent and informative but aren't because we don't want them to be. As the late George Calrin might say if he were here – in the end they are well processed, focus group tested, age appropriate, canned, FDA approved, organic, top quality, guaranteed, prime, high value, low cost, premium bullstuff. And we love our bullstuff!!

Well, he probably would have said something different.

Those ads are useless if a voter honestly gives a darn about America. Fareed Zakaria's program GPS, and in depth journalism done by serious reporters and Russert types is what is required.

Let's pray that the voters aren't all too busy working three jobs to consider that it was the Republicans who put them in this situation.

I'd like to inform you Jack, I'm annoyed!

Informative. In fact I'm thinking about voting for Paris Hilton as a write in. Could she really do any worse the George Bush? Maybe it is time we elect someone other than a politician for this job.

Jack, do you mean to imply that some of the things in these ads aren't true? I'm shocked. What about the one that said Obama was the love child of a space alien and Phyllis Diller? Surely that one is true.

Jack,

The ads are annoying. They offer no information and often times when they attempt to inform, they give us the wrong information. Unfortunately, it makes no difference. The ads might as well be all about Brittany Spears and Paris Hilton because if you talk to most people you will realize that they don't attempt to be informed on politics. People feel voting is irrational and they cast their vote based on irrational thoughts. My American Government professor told our class that the number one issue in any election is BS. He was right.

The ads are annoying, but it doesn't matter. If they were informative, it would make no difference to most Americans.

Dominic Wells
Bowling Green State University

Annoying. Very annoying and usually stretching the truth or outright lies.

We need to know where they stand on each issue and that cant be done in 30 seconds. All the flip-flopping thats done, do we ever get to know what the truth actually is?

They don't annoy me Jack. I know right where the mute button is on my remote control. They used to annoy me. They're so full of bologna that they make my stomach upset. This message was approved by me. Larry in Florida

The most annoying is when tv stations like yours continually play themm over and over again providing no objective analysis and giving the candidate, to date McCain, free air time. Without scrutiny, there is a thin line between advertising and propoganda.

Very annoying! It`s like Obama is trying to speek to us while some old geezer is making fart noises with his armpit.

I'm an Obama supporter--al long as the "white haired dude" keeps spending his money with these negative attack ads, Obama can keep spending his ad money the issues the voters want to hear....but the last ad that Obama should have should state, "McCain keeps talking to you(the voters) about me robbing you of his plans on america's future"

Jack,most of them are annoying,but so are most things on television these days.these so called reality shows that have nothing what so ever to do with reality,these political pundits who are so biased it comes out their ears,thank God that football will start soon and I can yell at them instead of tweedle -dee and tweedle-dum!!!!

Annoying-They are nothing but entertaiment If you are making you vote based on a TV ad then you are a moron I do'nt concider myself a democrat or republican I consider myself an AMERICAN I always based my vote on who I think would deal with the issues

Annoying! So annoying that during election season, I record everything on my DVR just so I can skip the political ads.

McCain;s ads are annoying. Obama's ads are informative. McCain's ads are negative and Obama's are inspiring. By the way, I'm not voting for either one of them so I guess you could call me as objective as anyone can get.

Really Jack? This is the best question you could come up with. There are other things going on in the world. Contrary to what the big 3 cable opinion stations would have us believe, that stuff is important to.

Obama's campaign adds are informative because they have an educational side. Hillary and John have the same style; it is clear they are good old friends playing old games for old personal supporters and interests. May God Bless America and give us a President representing us, the people.

I know the facts are exaggerated and they are filled with a bunch of bull. So I just hit the mute button until they are over. When I want the facts without a bunch of bull I read your blog and take a high blood pressure pill.

The political ads of today are GIGO. Garbage in,garbage out!

Annoying and distorting.....How much truth is in the content and the reporting...NADA.....People today have so little time and they get FALSE impressions with this fluff and lies!!!! There is no attempt to correct the distortion...They just hang in the air like pollen...

Ok, I admit it. I just LOVE each and every political ad. I mean, they're just sooooooo informative. I turn up the volume everytime they come on so I can hear all of the "FACTS" they highlight for each candidate.

Yeah, right. If they come on during a football game, I'll probably hurl my Doritos.

It's such a blessing to not have any since we mainly watch the channels that don't show the stupid, annoying, lying, backstabbing waste of money and time lousy entertainment things.

I find both Obama's and McCain's TV ads to be extremely annoying. Nothing those ads have to offer is going to determine the way I vote. Now Paris Hilton's political ad is very informative. In her ad, we find Paris laying out her solid plan to get us out of this energy mess that we're in, not to mention that we see her laying out half naked on that lawn chair...WOW, that ad is really HOT!

Political ads are beyong annoying. They are made even more disgusting when the news media keep rehashing and resurrecting them over and over. McCain's ads are so beyond the pale that they have to be defended against. Between the ads and the media, I'm considering watching Sesame Street instead over and over.

They are the same as Viagra ads. If you need help in making a choice, you better watch it.

They are like any other commercial break. Usually an insult to your intelligence and annoying. But at least they don't go through a list of side effects after they tell you how to vote.

hey!!.. we might have hit on something there! After the McCain commercial you hear in a soft female voice "may cause national bankruptcy, death of thousands in the middle east and hatred by most other countries if voted for in 2008."

After the Obama commercial you hear " May cause peace with all nations willing to talk to us, a balanced budget, health care for everyone and all politicians in office to be held accountable to the law if voted for in 2008.

I must be a Situation Room addict this makes sence to me!!

They are more amusing than they are annoying or informative.
America is the entertainment capital of the world, and we love to laugh.
Politicians think that they must entertain us in order to win our votes, but a few jokes can sometimes be a few too many.
Obama has made me laugh quite a few times, not at him personally, but at what and how he has said things about his opponent.
McCain makes me laugh when he believes he’s funny when is really isn’t.
Please leave the jokes to Leno, Letterman, and Stewart.
I want leaders, not stand-up comics.

El Paso, Texas

Annoying!!!

The ads are not only annoying, but maddening, too. McCain, especially, is taking the low road and making personal attacks rather than pointing out what he plans to do about the problems this country faces. On the other hand, he did get Paris Hilton to release her energy policy and it's far better than his.

The ads as of late are proof positive that neither man is anywhere close to being qualified to be the President the country needs.

But, they are certainly capable of being a Bush replacement.

Show me an ad that explains in detail what a candidate will do when in office instead of only how bad his opponent is and I will vote for that guy. So the answer is Annoying.

I find them annoying, and entirely uninformative. It is more important to do your own research into a candidate. Whether you like a presidential candidate or not, we have ads that compare them to Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. That is simply ridiculous and insulting to voters. I don't see how that informs anyone of anything.

Jack –

That would depend on whose ad you are referring to –

McCain's political ads are childish, annoying, misleading and an insult to the average person's intelligence, to say the least. You totally forget that there is an election going on confusing them with tabloid ads.

Obama's political ads are informative, enlightening, "above the fray" and straight to the point.

You can obviously tell which one is getting more and more desperate.

PHS in Rhode Island

I’d rather listen to my neighbor’s kids screaming at the top of their lungs 24/7.

TOTALLY ANNOYING. Let the candidates speak at town hall meetings where the voters, not TV personalities, ask the questions. Commentators are biased and just want to impress their bosses and their viewers. Let the people ask the questions and we will get the answers we need to make our decision.

See "Celeb" ad put out by the McCain campaign for an annoying ad.

Jack, When the ads are about the issues and they are true, they are informative, when they are about personal attacks, Britany Spears and Paris Hilton they are silly, demeaning and have no place in our choosing the person who we would wish to lead this country...They are annoying!

Attack ads are only meant to cater to the gullible without the intent of having any influence on the informed.

If you want to get the true facts on the issues confronting America or facts on the candidates you have to either watch the Daily Show with Jon Stewart or watch some of the Michael Moore movies.

In any event, regardless of the content of the political ads, if I was an American parent of teenage children my main concern would be to keep them out of a draft.

Political ads in generally are the 60 second hype of either candidate. The information just in everyday informatio, we never get a straight answer. Even when thet are in Washington or the County Seat.(Capital Office)Governor's all spin.

Annoying expecially when you listen to McBush and the old words the old goat can say is "surge" and Obama said, pretty sad for someone that is running for the highest office in the land.

Annoying in the extreme. We know who is running. we all are of the opinion that our own opinions are the "only ones that are right" ...so, they might as well do us a favor, save money and shut up for awhile.

They are deceptive and annoying. I remember an ad claiming that a politician voted against an increase in the minimum wage. There was no mention of the fact that a tax break for the richest Americans was part of that same bill. When I hear an ad like "he voted against body armor for US troops," I ask myself why. What else was in the bill? Apparently too many people accept these ads at face value. Linda in NJ

Hi Jack:

Time to call an 'ACE' an 'ACE' – too much of anything is simply too much & we have been there for sometime now!

Best,

Bruce

Oh I don't know Jack... that last one was HOT!

Jack they are annoying when I have to look at people like Paris Hilton or Brittany Spears. Other than that well I guess they are just annoying period.

P.S. Jack, why not an Olympic question today? Who cares about political ads when we can talk about the smog filled Beijing Olympics.

I agree with Jim in BC. There should be a heavy fine for lies and slander.

I don't pay attention unless they make the news since recorders came along. However, as an aside, John McCain should be ashamed of himself. People are hurting in this country, and putting out 200,000 Germans chanting, or Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and the like is an insult to all of us, but especially the ones hurting the most. Is this really funny? How dare him! Reminds me of shots of Bush dancing like an idiot as we sink.

These political adds are annoying all they do is tell us what's wrong with the candidate and not why we should vote for the right one ... Maybe I would vote for Paris Hilton she seems to be smarter than George W Bush.

Political ads are fun! Beats the heck out of the re-runs we've watched over and over. With the writer's strike, re-runs became 4th-runs. Informative political ads, I don't think so. Annoying – naw, beats the heck out of seeing Meredith Grey save the ambulance driver over and over.

I find both Obama’s and McCain’s TV ads to be extremely annoying. Nothing those ads have to offer is going to determine the way I vote. Now Paris Hilton’s political ad is very informative. In her ad, we find Paris laying out her solid plan to get us out of this energy mess that we’re in, not to mention that we see her laying out half naked on that lawn chair. Not only is that ad extremely informative, it's really HOT!

The ads can be highly informative, The type of ads run by a campaign
tells you more about the character of a candidate than the slurs put out by the ad itself.

When I see ads containing misinformation, quotes taken out of concept, ridicule, and other non-essential rubbish, the candidate that supported that ad loses credibility with me.

Show me facts and tell me what it is you are going to do! I don't care what the other guy isn't going to do, or what he is going to do wrong.

How about insulting, especially the Spears/Hilton commercial where Obama is blamed for the enormous gas prices! I often wonder what demographic McCain is targeting in those ads (certaininly not the intelligent and well-informed).

Most are annoying, almost as bad as commentators clearly using their shows to promote a candidate or tear down the government.
God bless the troops and the United States of America

it can only get worse; jack!

Very informative. I'm now voting for Paris Hilton for president.

Annoying and insulting. When will they understand that this isn't about them, it's about the American people. What are you going to do to get us out of this mess and more importantly, how are you going to do it. Don't insult our intelligence, we see through your stupid :15 grasps for attention.

Jack, of course they are annoying. They represent everything that is wrong with the electoral process in this country. Few, if any, tv ads offer anything remotely informative. Television is a terrible source of information because cable news’ number one priority is to entertain their viewers, not to inform them. If people are not willing to put in the effort to inform themselves through means other than television, then they do not deserve positive results. Poor effort results in poor outcome.

More than anything else, wasteful. A complete waste of money, time, energy and effort. A billion dollar schoolyard mudfight.

Dear Jack: In a word, disheartening. Thought John McClone had more honor than that, but I was wrong. He sold us all down the river when he started meeting with Karl Rove last year just to win. And if he's not careful, Obama will go down the same road.

Jack, this is torture and beyond ugly. We need to put limits, on campaign adds or have the candidates compete in, "American Gladiator". They'd never make it on, "America's Got Talent". Thank God for the Mute button.

Well, Jack, I think that if Obama did not have to counter McCain's stupid attack ads, his would be. Even the rebuttal ads tell us a lot of what he stands for and that is the opposite of McCain in most issues. McCain attacks because he has very little to say. Let me assure you that when a debater starts attacking the individual instead of the issues, he has lost the debate with nothing to day of value! Attack is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. Oh, I forgot, unless you are running for the highest office in the land... then anything is fair play! Again, we get what we deserve if we fall for such nonsense. If a candidate is deceitful in the campaign phase, he will undoubtedly do so in office. All we have to do is look at the Bush administration, if we doubt that. McCain/McSame/McBush.... all the same!!!

McCain's ads are ridiculous! They have no substance, no ideas........... just the same-old-GOP-attack-destroy-lie-fear-and-hate-mongering!

I am praying that our nation has had enough of these clowns!

Simply ANNOYING!!

I don't pay attention to any advertising, political or otherwise, unless I find the ads amusing. Besides the amusing ads, I mute them all. I usually mute so-called public service annoucements having to do with disease, allergies, and ill health as well. I try to stay out of the line of fire when it comes to the power of suggestion foisted on us by political parties, the CDC, the AMA, pharmaceutical companies, etc., etc., etc..

Geri – Mead, OK

To be honest, most of them are under my radar. I pay little or no attention to them because I do not believe a word that comes out of Obama or McCain's mouth. To me it is just talk and both have been talking way too long. I admit Paris Hilton got my attention and as much as she grates on my nerves, I actually thought about voting for her!

Because some of them are outright lies and demeaning, they tend to be more on the annoying side. If they can leave us with a positive feeling, have some substance, they can be more powerful. Obama's "hands" is a good ad. McCain's "pain" ad is another bad attempt. The current Republican "humor" mockery machine is ridiculous.

The media could be exposing the outright lies but instead it gives endless free air time and then has panelists discuss whether the ads are working. With all the intellect and experience of newscasters, aren't they concerned with asking better questions, elevating the discourse? This is the more annoying!

They are very informative! Thanks to these ads I have learned that Obama is a major celeb all over Europe. I think it might help Obama if McCain did another add letting Obama know that there is no electoral votes in Europe. Have a good weekend Jack!

Technically Jack, political ads are in fact informative. I mean, why all the pictures, words, symbols, etc??? If this was 600 years ago, the Vatican would wage war! LOL!!!!

To come and think about it Jack, I think I want the Vatican to wage war....is time go back in the day where it really matter...

The ads are filled with misinformation, half truths and out right lies. The only good they do is make money for the media marketplace.

I find both Obama’s and McCain’s TV ads to be extremely annoying. Nothing those ads have to offer is going to determine the way I vote. Now Paris Hilton’s political ad is very informative. In her ad, we find Paris laying out her solid plan to get us out of this energy mess that we’re in, not to mention that we see her laying out half naked on that lawn chair. Not only is that ad extremely informative, it's really HOT!

The ads are mostly annoying, particularly the negative ads. Many of McCains ads are especially irritating. He puts up images of Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears and transposes these with half-truths and outright lies. Even most of the positive ads from the candidates are hard to believe, because they only tell you things about these politicians that they want you to hear.

Very annoying Jack. They are just that, ADs. No AD can presuade my vote and that's because I have an intelligent mind and know better. I just hop other Americans are the same way and pick the right person for the job, which is Obama, and not what is in those ADs. Politians will say and do anything.

Jack,

It depends on the ad. The "Celeb" ad types are annoying. Those type ads fly in the face of an informed and knowledgable electorate. Unfortunately, there are many, many uninformed, knowledgable people in the country. After all, you still have people thinking Obama is a Muslum.

YES, because they are only half truths and do not give you a true picture nor can you ask any questions. it is a big money maker for the tv stations but little help to educate the voters to make the right choice. listen to the debates and read the papers this will give you the knowledge you need. turns the ads off if you want to clear your heads of trash.

Jack:

CNN, and all the constant news developments are annoying. I guess I am just going through a mental recession as Dr. Phil Graham said. I am so tired of seeing McCain hobble abound and studder through his town hall meetings. I think McCain should take Paris Hilton to Hawaii on Vacation for a week. Although that will not make him any younger, it will give the rest of us a weeks rest.

Ty in Kansas City.

ABSOLUTELY useless ads that shame the candidates! The money would be better spent on constructing properly engineered levees BEFORE the next big hurricane theatens New Orleans.

I find them entertaining! I can't wait to see the next best ad that will be run over and over again on the news as the media trys to interpret "what does this ad really mean".

Yes he should, why not President Bush has been on vacation for the past 7 1/2 years.

So a commercial to invite the public to come and personally see them at the State sign-ins, but works better for those running for the Membership to Congress.

What annoys me is the millions of dollars someone will spend on these ads to get a job that will wear them out, beat them down, make them old and pay $400,000 per year! Maybe they see it as spurring the economy...

Stupid and waste of money and out of date.

Annoying, I thought the battle royal between Obama and Hillary was ugly, this is just disgusting. Enough with the accusations of flip-flopping politics and slanderous comments.
I want to see a debate, maybe then they can start addressing the issues that are of concern to the American people.
However Jack, I'd rather see a commercialized Obama-McCain bloodbath getting world-wide media attention; than Bush's idea of repairing our foreign relations...i'll go to the olympics and everyone will forget about Iraq.

I think the ads are both informative and annoying. I am convinced now that there should be a limit of no more than 100 million dollars spent on any political campaign.

I have found the speeches of both to be more useful. I have one of Obama’s speeches that plays every morning to wake me and energize me and one of McCain’s speeches plays at night to put me to sleep. McCain’s speech is fast and puts me in a good deep sleep all night long

I see McCain on the TV Screen I mute the sound

All I can say is, thanks a lot, Lee Atwater.

annoying only if it's negative.

Misleading ads are insulting to the intelligence of ordinary citizens. And McCain's are significantly more inaccurate and misleading than Obama's. In fact, I think Obama has kept to his word about honor and that the Straight Talk Express left town.

And just to prove it to you Jack: Paris Hilton is by far a bigger international celebrity than Barack Obama. It's true, Obama is loved world wide, but Miss Hilton has better name recognition. It goes to show you that McCain doesn't even know who Paris Hilton is.

Jack I think every one is. They have been on for the last year and it is just annoying. I mean it doesnt mean anything because obama switches his views every time he has a rally some where. Love the show.

Jack, they are driving me insane. I don't know how you news guys do it. I've been following the elections day-by-day, and I'm starting to feel like I'm going to lose my mind before November even gets here. The idea that John McCain's disgustingly uninformative, intelligence-insulting ads are making any kind of difference in the minds of the general public makes me want to pack my bags and get the hell out.

Jack:
I absolutely hate poliitical ads because they usually involve canidates attacking each other. I think Paris Hilton's ad may be the best ad so far. I do think Obama's ads are more informative than McCain's, simply because McCain seems more interested in attacking Obama's popularity than explaining what he plans to do as president.

Anything that has information in it is informative. Unfortunately, the majority of people in this country appear to think that whatever they see on TV, or the internet, is true. McCain may be right about Obama's elitism in one critical aspect: Obama may not realize how dumb the average American is, giving them the benefit of the doubt more than they might deserve. This leaves McCain, the one who's 'in touch' with the ignorance of these people, to exploit, exploit, exploit.

Annoying and insulting as far as McCain's ads are concerned. They are packed with silly nonsense and huge whopping lies. I am tired of having my intelligence insulted an a daily basis.

Jack,
If the ads were limited to only being able to talk about their own candidate that would be more interesting. They could make their claims about themselves and it would be up to the voting public and the media to catch them in their lies.
The only thing the ads have shown me so far is that McCain is not as honorable as he claims, and Obama is so popular that if he doesn't win by a landslide the entire world will be in shock, and Paris Hilton has an interesting energy plan.

Luwanna Guysville Ohio

Political ads are a direct reflection of the declining I.Q. in this country. They are designed to stimulate the lowest common denominators of fear and insecurity among the populace, and distract the public from issues that could fundamentaly change the course of this nation. No politician, at this level of the game, can risk full disclosure as to what our government is really up to, or who the real power behind the throne is, and their agenda. So not only are the ads insulting and annoying, they are misleading to the point of being traitorous and benefit no one but the media. I should also mention that their collective production value sucks.

They are informative when they talk about what the candidate is GOING to do, and not what the other guy is not going to do.
McCain keeps telling me what Obama will do or not do but I have not heard any real information about what McCain is going to do.
On the other hand the Obama ads I have seen are all about what he is going to do for America. And I live in Kansas, these are the first democratic ads I have seen since moving here 11 years ago.

I have NO interest in hearing someone else's opinion of what the other guy does or does not do. I am only interested in hearing what you are going to do.

Jack, they are informative in that we see how low a candidate's team will stoop to smear the opposition. However, I'd rather have a beer and Jagermeister hangover every morning than sit through another three months of McCain's TV spots.

Annoying. Only politicians could waste that kind of time and money.

I have been well informed that McCain ads are annoying.

Political ads are not meant to be informative. They merely try to distract voters from the "real issues" by playing brief sound bites and out of context quotes. The hilarity of the whole situation is how both sides waste time and money thinking of these commericals, yet they have a minimal effect in deciding the contest. Obama was ahead before any ads, and he'll be ahead come Nov. 4th.

Political ads are an unasked for gift to the American voter bought and paid for by the lobbyists and special interest check writers of the Broadcast industry. Not the workers like you or Wolf, but the blokes who rake in the big bucks. 50, 100 miliion a year. Obama wants to change that system....McCain doesn't.

Totally annoying. These ads are not informative and they do nothing to reassure the people that even one of these candidates could lead a horse to water. Where is the strength, the courage, the veracity, the vision, the committment, the humanity? Who are you? What will you really do?

Dos V.
las vegas

Negative political ads are a waste of money. We should demand as a voter, that canidates are only allowed to talk about themselves and what they are going to do for this countryvand stop sounding like a big baby. And if your caught lying about the other canidate your OUT!!

New Jersey

Lies, no matter how white and how little, are not only annoying but as far as our leaders of this country are concerned are unethical and morally wrong. We need leaders not instigators.

Annoying and, you never know who is telling the truth anyway, so what is the point of them.

Well according to John McCain, Obama is sthe ONE, He is the biggest celebrity in the world, Obama thinks he can solve the energy crisis with a tire gauge,, I think this was in one week. I am expecting a picture of McCain holding horns behind Obama's head like we did in school when it was time for that group photo. It is out of control and downright annoying.

Annoying. They are made for the many mindless lemmings that get all of their information from TV shows like American Idol and alike. Sadly these people are the ones who make the choices for our leaders. So is this how Rome fell?

Annoying is not the word...... I really dont care about the ads... I ready for the debates.. that will tell all!

Jack,

There should be a $10,000 fine for every televison or internet ad that is proven false. The money should go to the Gazillion Dollar Deficit. This way candidates can spin, lie and degrade each other all they want and the American people can still benefit.

I find all ads on the television a turnoff! Most of them show someone doing something that is totally idiotic just to get your attention. The political ones are the same way.

San Diego

As a North Carolinian who saw him run for President on the first day of his Senate career, I hope his career is over. He played the public since Day One. What a jerk.

To Tom in Avon,

You must be joking, the Democrooks are just as guilty. They will raise our taxes and take money that is earned and give to the minority and poor. Our reps have already taken from our seniors and given to illegals healthcare, Dems are more apt to give amnesty to felons, than Republicans.

I voted Democrook for the last 16 years, but seeing what they have and have not done, just in the last 18 months of so-called change, shows they are liars too.

Bush, Cheney and Rove should be jailed for treason, impeachment is not enough to make up for the lives and treasure lost because of

James from Sparta's comment above is ALL TOO TRUE. The US public has lost its ability to make common sense judgments. All too many think that Beavis and Butt Head, The Simpsons etc are worth watching.
Remember, with the help of Secretaries of State and computerized but rigged voting machines with no audit trail Cheney&W were reappointed. At your next IRS audit just try and tell your auditor "this is what the computer said, and there is no audit trail" – Federal prisons are not too bad. Martha Stewart did not complain. Just did her time and got with her life.

The ads are informative and/or annoying to the degree you either support or abhor the candidate.

I thought Clinton was done, but he's still in the picture. We tend to believe the new lies once they start to make us feel good again... So, with careful word play, he'll still be around.

Political ads are annoying, especially the ones full of lies like most of McCains. What value do they add to informing the voter? All I got out of McCains recent ads is how childish he is, and how jealous he is that he can't draw 250,000 like Obama even when he has a captive audience like at the biker gathering in South Dakota. Let's not even talk about his indignant use of the Ten Commandments, even if it was only a movie. The issue is the disrespect shown true Christians.

ANNOYING - I would like to thank the person who invented the remote. John McCain's FUNNY adds are not funny to me, they irritate me to death. If they were about issues instead of slamming the other guy it would be ok.

Debbie
Franklin Furnace, Ohio