How effective are attack ads?

    The pro-Republican group Crossroads GPS is spending $8 million on new TV ads in swing states, attacking President Obama for sustained unemployment and calling on him to cut the national debt.

    Frank Newport, editor-in-chief at the Gallup Poll, gauges their effectiveness in this week’s “What Are We Thinking” segment with NewsWorks Tonight host Dave Heller.

    Newport also discusses whose ads seem to have the most impact and whether negative ads really work.

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