Just got done reading this excellent branding diary: Let's Brand this "Maverick" Nicely done man, nicely done. We need more people to give this a quick read.
This led to me thinking about all the slippery things I've seen happen when somebody gets pinned. I call this "The Dodge". Right when some acceptance should happen, you've got them pinned, it's s done deal, BRANDED, whatever, they slip away quickly, before really getting tagged.
The reality is most people do this, not just Republicans. However, given the branding effort detailed in the linked diary above, it's worth going over these things so they are easy to spot.
The list below the fold:
1. Subject change
This can be anything. Usually it's abortion, gays, god, guns, etc...
2. Claim of too many opponents
Laughable at best, but often very effective. They can play the "lone warrior" card, or some other silly thing.
3. Claim to either be a member of, or opponents of discussion being members of club, with said membership somehow required to complete what is otherwise a non-rational conclusion.
Tricky! It's usually some class thing, particularly common with more wealthy Republicans. They will claim that others just haven't had the kind of experience it takes to really understand how the world works.
4. Silence
This one is pretty potent! So, they know they are pinned, but will just wait for some other time to try and gain ground again. Will happen over and over and over. They don't rest --ever.
5. Claim of overall subject and or implications of subject complexity being greater than scope of discussion
"It's too complex", or "you oversimplify", something like that.
6. Invoke false comparison
7. Transform rational argument into emotional one
After the winning points are made, an emotional fall back is always a good attempt to marginalize the whole thing, without actually accepting the loss.
8. The Bible says...
'nuff said, we know about this one, I am sure.
9. Invoke redefinition of common words
This is exactly what the branding diary was about!
10. Invoke slippery label to redefine winners primary point at hand
Same as #9, but specific to political labels where being "conservative" or "liberal" really means whatever it takes to get out of being pinned down.
11. Claim of invalid higher authority / Claim of no high authority
12. Obsfucation, where some degree of acceptance is seen, but wrapped in difficult to reference terms
This is an appeasement move. The winner has won, but deny them the easy opportunity of using later on to impact others.
13. "I forgot, could you remind me again?", used to force other parties to tire of the subject and move on.
Tons of variations on this one. "Too Intellectual", "book doctor", etc... It's a specialized personal attack. Nobody likes really smart people, right?
14. Necessary party unavailable for comment.
That's it for all the ones I've run into. You guys see any others? If so, put them in the comments. Thanks!!