Character Assassination and Reputation Politics Research Lab

Welcome to CARP 5! March 20-22. Arlington, VA. https://lnkd.in/euQKeig7

https://lnkd.in/e-HaqY8j Politics in Australia. The feud between John Setka and Anthony Albanese highlights how character attacks shape political struggles. Both sides deploy accusations—Labor frames Setka as a thug and abuser, while the CFMEU paints Labor as corrupt and power-hungry. This battle isn’t just political; it’s a war of reputations, where narratives dictate influence.....By Troy Mitchell (GMU).

Martijn Icks talk about character assassination from a historical perspective (5 min.) https://lnkd.in/esuYEYjd

Thank you to all participants who joined our recent CARP webinar. For those who couldn't attend or wish to revisit the discussion, the recording is now available. You can access it directly here: https://lnkd.in/enKb7kPy

The University of Amsterdam has just released a YouTube video with Professor Alex Nai (CARP Senior Research Associate) on negative campaigning in the US election. You may find it interesting @CARP_Research https://lnkd.in/ex8kVwpG

Was Dukakis' 1988 campaign derailed by that infamous tank photo? Did Walz make a mistake with his hunting video? Photo ops usually don’t make or break campaigns, but they do sway the undecided 10% who are still on the fence... #CampaignMistakes @CARP_Research https://lnkd.in/ezZYC3TE

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Troy Mitchell (CARP) on Australia’s Media Response to the US Presidential Campaign (September , 2024): A CARP survey of Australian media outlets found consistent characterisations of the Harris and Trump 2024 campaigns. Pro-Harris media describe Trump’s campaign as “extreme,” “anti-Muslim” and that Trump “has long embraced conspiracy theories.” Pro-Trump media has rebuked Harris, calling her and her allies “appalling,” “elitist,” and “out-of-touch.” Remarks like these were critical in discerning which candidate different broadcasters prefer, with 40% supporting Harris, 20% supporting Trump, and the remaining 40% being unaligned.

What we consider reputation is, in essence, a reflection not of an individual's truth, but of the collective lens through which they are viewed. Pamela Harriman, once known for her "shaky" reputation in political circles, was often seen as a socialite who used her charm and connections to navigate the upper echelons of power. Criticized for being more of a political insider through love affairs and relationships rather than genuine expertise, her reputation in Washington or Paris was often clouded by skepticism. However, newly discovered papers, private letters, and diaries—as well as transcripts of interviews released for the first time—reveal a much more complex and nuanced figure. These fresh accounts show that the real Pamela Harriman bore only a passing resemblance to the image that had defined her public life, shedding light on her strategic brilliance and depth in international diplomacy. https://lnkd.in/eKZTZ95F

@CARP_Research Reputational politics in action: Taylor Swift's endorsement may backfire on Kamala Harris. A YouGov survey shows only 8% would be more likely to vote for Harris due to Swift's approval, while 20% said it would make them less likely to support her. To compare: A 2008 Northwestern University report found Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement added a million votes to Barack Obama’s tally. But a 2010 North Carolina State University report found celebrity endorsements by George Clooney and Angelina Jolie did little to move the political needle.