In other words: A discussion of The Bush Administration
Via Atrios: Republican Talking Points
Republican pollster and strategist Frank Luntz, who for some reason also makes regular appearances on NBC and hosts his own show on MSNBC, something no Democratic pollster and strategist does, regularly issues talking points. Here's what he issued for talking about Iraq and 9/11.
Here's a pdf of the memo: Luntz.pdf
And for those who don't have Acrobat or want to easily cut and paste portions of the memo, I've made a quickie html version of the memo:Frank Luntz's talking points
Here are some of my favorite parts:
WHAT MATTERS MOST
1) “9/11 changed everything” is the context by which everything follows. No speech about homeland security or Iraq should begin without a reference to 9/11.
2) The principles of “prevention and protection” still have universal support and should be addressed prior to talking about Iraq.
3) “Prevention at home can require aggressive action abroad” is the best way to link a principle the public supports with the policies of the Administration. “It is better to fight the War on Terror on the streets of Baghdad than on the streets of New York or Washington.”
4) “Terrorism has no boundaries, and neither should efforts to prevent it.” Talk about how terrorism has taken the lives of the British, the Spanish, Italians, Germans, Israelis, innocents from all across the globe. Remind listeners that this is truly an international challenge. “Americans are not the only target.”
5) “The world is a better place without Saddam Hussein.” Enough said.
The Language of Prevention and Protection 1
MAKING THE CASE: THE LANGUAGE OF THE WAR ON TERROR
1) Set the Context: 9/11 changed everything. On this issue more than any, context is everything. The American people have notoriously short attention spans – and they do not always see the big picture unless it is unveiled to them. Start with what we all hold in common – the shared experience of the tragedy on September 11th, but then explain what it has done to the present and what it means for the future. Before Americans will accept where you want to go, you need to emphasize where we all have been.
THE CONTEXTOF 9/11: WORDS THAT WORK
“9/11 changed everything. [It changed our economy. It changed our spending priorities.] It changed the way we think about threats to the United States. It changed our recognition of our vulnerabilities. It changed the kind of national security strategy we need to pursue in guaranteeing the safety and security of the American people.”
-- Vice President Dick Cheney
2) Before you can talk Iraq, you must talk about Homeland Security.
It all reminds me of this Doonsebury cartoon:
- rob 1:19 PM - [PermaLink] -
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