What the Fallacy?!
Appeal to Emotion
The Definition
Manipulating an emotional response in place of a valid or compelling political argument.
The Explanation
Political ads frequently use appeals to fear, patriotism, or anger instead of logical policy arguments, obscuring the fact that no compelling rational reason exists for their position.
Political Example
Rather than explain the economic impact of the new tax plan, the campaign ad simply showed black-and-white footage of struggling families with ominous music playing in the background.