Congress is still at odds over which, if any, of these options will work, and the Senate has blocked recent campaign finance-reform bills. In addition to legislative action, candidates themselves can benefit from trimming back their television budgets. Since few voters change their minds by watching television ads, candidates could spend less time building up their personality and smearing their opponents and more time explaining exactly what it is they will do in office. This approach will answer the voter's need for a candidate who will forsake the familiar campaign rhetoric by promoting specific issues they feel strongly about. Call the candidates' headquarters and have them send you a copy of these papers.
Many organizations publish limited voting records for incumbent candidates.
For a conservative perspective, check the Christian Coalition of Georgia. For a more liberal viewpoint, check the Georgia League of Women Voters. The Bulletin is a free, semi-weekly publication that analyzes how Georgia's political and cultural happenings could affect family life. GFC will be happy to send it to you by e-mail or fax. The future of television's influence on campaigns is unclear.