NRCC Memo: Don't say 'entitlement reform'

[flpoljunkie]

Memo: 'Don't say entitlement reform'

By Alex Isenstadt - 8/13/12 @ 3:29 PM ET

It only took two hours after the Paul Ryan vice presidential announcement for Republican congressional candidates to get their talking points on how to spin the Ryan budget and Medicare attacks. “Do not say: ‘entitlement reform,’ ‘privatization,’ ‘every option is on the table,’” the National Republican Congressional Committee said in an email memo. “Do say: ‘strengthen,’ ‘secure,’ ‘save,’ ‘preserve, ‘protect.’”

The email read like a warning shot, alerting Republicans that they would soon face a barrage of Medicare-themed attacks and telling them they needed to be ready for the scrutiny that was to come. The internal email, obtained by POLITICO, was a clear and immediate sign that Republicans knew Ryan could create trouble down ballot for GOP candidates in tight Congressional races.

~The bottom line, Shields says: Don’t be afraid to talk about entitlements. “We knew that voters are inclined to believe that Republicans don’t like Medicare and aren’t inclined to support it.

http://m.politico.com/iphone/story/0812/79673.html

[Freddie]

1. Don't say "entitlements" at all

Even though it means "something you're entitled to, because you paid into it", the other side had warped the meaning into "welfare for the lazy poor." Instead use the expression "earned benefits" which is exactly what SS and Medicare are.
Remind them over and over--I PAID FOR this and I EARNED it.

[Cosmocat]

4. This is a slight messaging win

Entitlements has been a very effective negative frame for them for a long time.

To have them order their troops to not say entitlement reform shows them on a the defensive with it.

[progressivebydesign]

2. the beauty of the interwebs and youtube is that Ryan is all over saying "cut entitlements"

I may have to do a mash up this week....

[magical thyme]

3. here's a perfect place to try out *our* ideas...soundbites anyone?

on ACA's supposed cuts:

They want to cut your earned SS and Medicare benefits;
ACA cuts waste and fraud, while maintaining your earned benefits.

on Choice:

They want to force you to choose between food, heat for your home or expensive, private health insurance with a discount coupon.

We want you to be able to choose to stay with your current doctor and hospital or change to another doctor and hospital without needing a private insurance provider's permission.

[gkhouston]

5. Your Medicare benefits will be cut to give more tax breaks to the rich. n/t