Mass media has a great influence in the political process. Mass media includes both print media and electronic media. Newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, handouts, and other reading material are considered print media. Items considered to be electronic media are radio, television, and the Internet. Therefore, politics can be greatly influenced by the numerous sources for public awareness.

Television provides the largest effect on politics. The majority of Americans receive their information of political affairs from their televisions. Seeing as almost every house in the United States possesses a TV, candidates for government offices find it to be have an important impact on the public's voting behavior.

Political advertisements are television commercials that help to communicate the character of the candidate, and that person's beliefs and opinions on certain issues. Often, candidates also run negative ads that aim to derive votes from supporters of their opponents. Attack ads are used...