I hate to say it but we all listen to Frank Luntz, and now more than ever. Luntz has done a lot to help poison our current political debate. The "Death Tax," The Contract...," "Climate Change," etc. But he is also very responsible for the success of the Republicans in the past 12 years. Now that we Democrats have some power for the first time in six years it is time to do, as I did this afternoon, listen to what he has to say.
More after the break.
Leonard Lopate show on WNYC had Dr. Luntz on today to talk about his new book, Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear. Along with the discussion of his successes Luntz talked about the 2006 election and the 2008 presidential race. I want to sum up two of the important lessons and the person Luntz seems to be VERY concerned about as a Democratic nominee:
- In 2006 the Republicans in Congress were seen by voters as most out of touch with real people. Democrats also fared badly but it was the Repubs that the voters saw as being the most hypocritical.
- The Terri Schiavo case was definitely seen as the government coming into our personal lives and a decision what must be left up to families. Luntz said the Republicans had spent years convincing people that the government should not interfere with our lives and here it was the Republicans doing just that thing.
- Bush is using the term "surge" because "escalation" is brings back memories of Vietnam and it is a big loser for the Republicans. Luntz says that Bush has lost the electorate on Iraq and there is almost no way of getting it back. (I almost had to turn off my radio here as Luntz went on and on about how Bush is doing what he believes and will be judged correct by history. I am glad I stayed tuned.)
So the lesson for the Democrats in Congress
- They MUST go all the way with ethics reform. (I live in New Jersey and the Dems now in power here are in for a big hurting next election because they have dragged their feet on this issue.)
- They must use the word escalation. I heard Obama use it last week and Pelosi use it over the weekend. (I also loved that she used the term from "1984": "Never Ending War."
- They must stay connected with us. That means real people, the blogs, the people who write letters to the editor, and everyone else who wants honesty, peace, and to provide for their family.
And then there was Luntz's admission that Barack Obama is the one Democrat who comes off best for the 2008 election. People perceive him unlike the way they see most Democrats. He does not talk in a way that divides people. He is seen as genuine. He scares Luntz. (He did not say that but that was the message I got.)
I encourage you to go to http://www.wnyc.org/... to listen to the podcast of the show.