In the wake of the Van Jones resignation and the supposed "Fox Nation Victory" for Glenn Beck and his minions, here we are again, wringing our hands over how ineffectual we are when it comes to message control, and fighting back against far-right attacks.
The usual effect is that the lunatic fringe of Glenn Beck gets mainstreamed once again, and "the Left" is marginalized as an "extreme" group, in issues ranging from health care reform, to the environment to war in the Middle East.
Well, I’m no expert, but from what I’ve seen from Democratic politicians and spokesman on TV, neither is anyone else. We’re getting our and asses whupped, over and over again.
So we need to take a page out of the Republican playbook. We need to get all Frank Luntz on their ass.
So here are a few pointers I thought of, and I would welcome others. And I hope that Dem strategists and Democrats in Congress will take heed.
Here goes:
- You may have noticed lately how some lunatic-fringers – Michelle Mallkin and Glenn Beck --come to mind -- are trying to cast themselves as "Conservatives" rather than "Republicans." Don’t let them get away with it. Stop even using the word "conservatives." It is irrelevant. There are no more "conservatives. They have been replaced by "THE EXTREME RIGHT." Now, make that term interchangeable with "REPUBLICANS." Interrupt anyone who uses the term "conservatives" and correct them.
- Now, repeat after me: THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE EXTREME RIGHT. Say it over and over again – in conversation, whenever you call in to TV and radio shows, whenever you write a letter to newspapers, and whenever you are interviewed by a reporter.
- Now take it to the next level. THE EXTREME RIGHT IS AT WAR WITH AMERICA. They refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the first black president. They openly make death threats. They openly talk about civil war. They openly talk about secession. EXTREME RIGHT-WINGERS (or, you could say "Republicans") LIKE GLENN BECK AND SEAN HANNITY want to bring back McCarthyism. And most important: REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS SUPPORT THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR CRAZY IDEAS. Repeat this, over and over, to anyone who will listen.
- Here’s one for lawmakers and Democratic pundits: Use patriotic, positive, easy-to- understand and universally supportable terms for bills and policies you support. For instance: Don’t say "climate bill," say "AMERICAN JOBS BILL." Like that.
Any more suggestions, folks? While you’re thinking of some, read this funny take on lousy Democratic message control from Vanity Fair’s James Wolcott:
Are you telling me that with all the money pumped into consultants and pollsters, in a country whose media culture is built on advertising and catchphrases, that with all of ambitious little beavering minds who have studied the art and science of persuasion (and know Lakoff "framing" backwards and forwards, chapter and verse), that with all of that the architects and backers couldn't come up with something more inspiring and memorable than "health care reform"? Where's the creativity, the missionary zeal, the visionary spark? First of all, "reform" is one of the most boring fucking well-meaning meaningless words in the language. It's a word that carries no juice, no buzz, no friction, no color, no nothing.
http://www.vanityfair.com/...