Hypnotizing the voters

Nick Belluso, while running for governor of Georgia in 1978, came up with the idea of hypnotizing the voters to vote for him. So he hired a hypnotist and created a TV ad which went as follows:

Candidate: This is Nick Belluso. In the next ten seconds you will be hit with a tremendously hypnotic force. You may wish to turn away. Without further ado let me introduce to you the hypnogenecist of mass hypnosis, the Reverend James G. Masters. Take us away, James.

Hypnotist: Do not be afraid. I am placing the name of Nick Belluso in your subconscious mind. You will remember this. You will vote on Election Day. You will vote Nick Belluso for governor. You will remember this. You will vote on Election Day. You will vote Nick Belluso for governor.

However, Belluso's scheme was foiled when every TV station but one refused to run the ad, fearing the hypnosis might actually work, which would open them up to potential legal liabilities.

So Belluso lost the election. Though he subsequently became a perennial candidate running for many offices, including President of the United States in 1980.

You can see most of the ad in the clip below.

Also worth noting: Belluso claimed he had been endorsed by "The Force."



The Nashville Tennessean - Aug 11, 1978



     Posted By: Alex - Thu Jan 25, 2018
     Category: Hypnotism, Mesmerism and Mind Control | Politics | Psychology | 1970s





Comments
If this actually worked, why bother to hypnotize voters? Just hypnotize the legislators and have them do your bidding.
Posted by Fritz G on 01/25/18 at 09:34 AM
"You will bark like a chicken when I snap my fingers..."
Posted by KDP on 01/25/18 at 04:42 PM
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