Quote from Lakoff:
"There are many other things that are excluded from the official framing of the "global war on terror," such as oil, the economy, the deficit, health care, jobs, education, taxes, and the effects of global trade. The implication is that none of these things matter if every American is in mortal danger, even those in the swing states where there's little to no chance of a terrorist strike.
But rationality is not at issue here. People think in terms of frames. If this frame is accepted, all such "rational" arguments will be beside the point. Negating the frame would just reinforce it. The facts alone won't do the job.
If you don't want this frame accepted, you have to puncture it effectively by using what the public already believes (for example, that Iraq is a disaster area), and you have to offer a strong, positive alternative frame.
And Fast."
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I know that I have posted a few things on the boards (I lurk most of the time), but I am becoming increasingly aware that the Kerry Team does need to confront the ads and the issues raised by Republicans. Moreover, I have even noticed some threads and links to articles, which tell us that Kerry’s team is regrouping in order to stand-up against the Bush/Cheney team. Yet, I am struck by the way that right after we read these posts on DU—we later end up seeing the same old Democratic Tactics being used. That is to say that the Kerry Team does not seem to be ‘speaking’ to the American people like the Bush/Cheney team.
I came across these articles on Buzzflash a few days ago by the linguist, George Lakoff. I think they would be of interest to Kerry’s people, but I don’t know how to get these out to them. Realizing that some of his aides may lurk here (and I know I have seen a few nicknames and a few threads with posters stating they work with the Kerry campaign), I am providing these links in hope that they take the time to examine what Dr. Lakoff sees as the manner in which Republican’s ‘frame’ their issues.
If they are an intelligent bunch( and I believe that they are) they will have to move fast and copy the way that the Republican Party frames issues. It’s the technique of framing that speaks to the everyday American.
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/08/31_lakoff_gop1.shtmlhttp://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/09/01_lakoff_gop2.shtmlhttp://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/09/02_lakoff_gop3.shtmlhttp://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2004/09/03_lakoff_gop4.shtmlhttp://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2003/10/27_lakoff_p2.shtmledit: quote added. (mods- if i put too many lines in..please let me know)