Attack ads will continue to be prominent in the Alberta election: political strategist

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Whether you like them or not, there have been a lot of attack ads in this election campaign already.

Both the NDP and the UCP have used negative ads as a way to get their message across.

Political parties use these tactics, simply because they work.

Conservative political strategist with Sussex StrategyAlise Mills worked with the Progressive Conservatives in the last Alberta election but is not involved in this race.

She said conservative parties are focused on making these ads personal.

“In the sense that they speak directly to the worst fears or the worst experiences that Alberta voters, Alberta taxpayers have had for the last four years.”

On the flip side of the argument, Mills believes the NDP is focused on trust and the polling data that would suggest Rachel Notley is a more well-liked leader than Jason Kenney.

“She had got nothing to lose in this election. So to attack Jason Kenney, she has got to figure out where the soft underbelly is, and it is his personal approval ratings.”

Mills is also seeing a throwback to a familiar theme in this province, talk about negativity towards the federal government and western alienation.

“Which we haven’t really seen in a formidable way since the early 80s and mid-80s in western Canada of course with the formation of the Reform Party at that time. It feels like whatever was old is new again.”

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