We've all been reading the diaries lately urging Democrats to get back on message, stop talking exclusively about Sarah Palin, turn the conversation back on McCain and Bush, and focus on the issues.
We need to do more than that. We need to frame our arguments for maximum impact. (For more on progressive framing, check out linguist George Lakoff's books, especially "Don't Think Of An Elephant" and the one I'm currently reading, "The Political Mind".)
So-called "low information voters" aren't likely to listen to a nuanced discussion of why Obama's foreign policy proposals are better than McCain's, or what economic policies Obama will implement that McCain won't, or why Obama's stance on health care is superior to whatever McCain has thrown together.
Democrats, bless our hearts, are prone to discussing issues at length -- you know, because details matter. (And they absolutely DO, don't get me wrong.) However, at this point in the election, we need to do what Republicans have excelled at doing for years: create pithy 'bumper sticker' talking points, and repeat them over and over until they stick.
Without further ado, here's my 'bumper sticker' . . . .
McCain isn't CHANGE; McCain is EX-CHANGE: exchanging eight years of Bush for four years of McSame.
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