Winnipeg – Political parties broadcast television ads which criticize their opponents because they are seen to be effective. But a Probe Research survey of 1,001 Manitobans conducted for the Winnipeg Free Press suggests that the first salvo fired by the NDP against Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen may have backfired on the New Democrats, as those who recall the NDP‟s “Know Hugh” ad campaign are more likely to have a better opinion of the Progressive Conservatives than those who did not see these ads.

Voters were asked if they had recently seen, read or heard any advertisements about Progressive Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen. Slightly more than one-half (57%) said they had seen these ads, which were broadcast on local television stations and on the Internet as well as complemented by direct mail and social media campaigns. More than one-third (37%) had not seen the ads and an additional six percent were unsure whether they had seen them or not. None of these survey respondents had been exposed to the more recent ads by the Progressive Conservatives that feature Hugh McFadyen rebutting NDP criticisms of his previous policy statements...

Interestingly, those who recalled these advertisements critical of PC leader Hugh McFadyen were more likely to have a higher opinion of the Progressive Conservative party today than those who did not recall these ads (17%, versus 7% respectively). There is virtually no difference in the proportion of voters who say their view of the PCs has declined when looking at those familiar and unfamiliar with the anti-McFadyen ads (17%, versus 15% respectively). However, those who were aware of the ad were more likely to have a more-negative impression of the NDP today than those who did not see the ad (35%, versus 19% respectively).

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Labels: 2011 Manitoba Election, Hugh McFadyen, Manitoba Liberal Party, Manitoba politics, NDP, Probe Research, Progressive Conservative Party