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06/01/05 :: By P. M. Carpenter Iraq, impeachment, illegalities and immoralityCategories :: Tactics
Taken together the four topics in the grab-bag title of this piece, if played by Democrats with reasonable (and uncharacteristic) skill, could lead to serious Republican setbacks in 2006. A multiple-front approach -- from Iraq to values -- could be...
05/03/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Shift the Burdon of Proof to Your OpponentCategories :: Tactics
Make an assertion, promote your opinion, or provide your interpretation. Before your opponent can question your motive, strength of argument, or basis for your assertions, call for them to prove you wrong. Place the burden of proof for your assumptions on your opponent. Don't let up until they concede that they can't prove you wrong. At that point, proclaim victory. That's what Bush does.
04/21/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Ask Questions that Suggest the “Correct Answer”Categories :: Tactics
Summary: Create a context that favors your views. Pose general values questions that lead to obvious answers. Use these answers to convince respondents and listeners to move toward more specific topics with a bias toward your preferred view. Associate any negative aspects of the topic to the opposition while presenting the positive aspects with yourself or allied entities.
04/13/05 :: By Sharon Andrews Democrats RegroupCategories :: Tactics
ABC News' feature The Note reported yesterday that Democratic leadership has big plans to push back against the rightwing message machine:
03/29/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: "Allow" People to Come to the "Correct" ConclusionCategories :: Tactics
Ask questions that "allow" listeners to come to the "correct" conclusion all by themselves. The "correct" conclusion being the one that you deem to be "correct". In writing, speeches and general statements of opinion, this tactic is very effective. When directing such questions to a particular person, the effective execution becomes a bit trickier.
03/24/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Use Language That Implies Your Opponent has Done Things Far Worse than What has Been ProvenCategories :: Tactics
Tactic: In essence, you must use language that implies that your opponent is guilty of improprieties we have yet to imagine. This encourages listeners to not only indict your opponent in their own mind, but also to convict them of yet-to-be-proven, perhaps even imaginary crimes. This ensures that the opponent remains sour in the listeners' minds for untold periods of time making it much more difficult for your opponent to recover and regain credibility sufficient to attack you or your agenda in the future.
03/17/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Appeal to the Listeners' Deepest FearsCategories :: Tactics
Instill fear. Connect that fear to your opponent's position; remind them that, with him, there is no hope. Provide specific, simple and clear instructions regarding the actions that should be taken to find relief. Fear distracts and motivates the frightened to seek relief from that fear.
03/09/05 :: By Drew Johnston Tactic: Watching Your BehaviorCategories :: Tactics
It's simple enough - keep it cool and you'll never lose. Well, you may lose, but it can't hurt.
03/08/05 :: By S.M. Dixon The GOP Doesn't Cotton to the WTOCategories :: Tactics
The GOP has been savaging the Democratic Party's political base; could, and should, the Democratic Party respond in kind?
02/04/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Describe your Opponent with 'Words of Weakness'Categories :: Tactics
Use words to describe the opponent (regardless of their true behavior) that exude WEAKNESS.
Do not use words that could be construed as strong in the 'Strict Father' model of morality. This refers specifically to many words that progressives perceive as 100% negative: Mean, heartless, insensitive, dictatorial, hateful, angry, evil, stubborn, ogre, egotistical, harsh.
01/18/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Outnumber Your OpponentCategories :: Tactics
Setup: Here you are. Face to face with the opposition and grossly outmatched. Their arguments are more persuasive. Their delivery is more coherent. Their presence is more charismatic and their face is more attractive. For God sake, what do you do? Short answer: Bail out till you can get some reinforcements. Although this is not always possible, given the opportunity to do so, delay a debate to such a time that you are likely to have a vocal ally present.
01/16/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactical Assault ProjectCategories :: Tactics
Announcing the launch of the PoliticalStrategy.org "Tactical Assault Project". The project will be an ongoing effort to provide a 'handbook' of political tactics being used -- and for use -- in the ongoing battle for political and ideological superiority.
01/11/05 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Link 'Good' Words to 'Good' Sources, 'Bad' Words to 'Bad' SourcesCategories :: Tactics
This tactic helps us to determine what people find when they search for 'Miserable Failure' or any other search term. The question is, will they see the "Biography of George W. Bush" or the "Michael Moore Website" (Currently number 2 and obviously the right's answer to the "Bush - Miserable Failure" campaign) shining boldly in the top spot? So, if you own a blog or other website, be very selective and strategic in choosing the words that you use to link to other sites. En masse, it is an incredibly powerful tool that helps shape what millions of people find in their quest for truth!
12/31/04 :: By Stu Finkel Tactic: Appropriate the SymbolsCategories :: Tactics
A modest proposal to (re)appropriate patriotic symbols in a progressive context. Stick the flag and the ribbon on your car -- but do so right next to your Move On "Nothing Accomplished" sticker, or your old Dean sticker, or your "Re-Defeat Bush" sticker. Make people look twice and form new associations.
12/28/04 :: By Stu Finkel The Conservative (Faux)-Persecution ComplexCategories :: Blowhards :: Conservatives :: Lies :: Tactics
An extended look at two of the right's favorite faux-outrages: the fictional persecution of Christians and the fact that professors tend to be liberals.
12/20/04 :: By Tom Ball Sensationalize Opponent's Bad News and Your Good NewsCategories :: Tactics
Here's a tactic where having a few dedicated, partisan media outlets comes in handy. Nevertheless, even sans such advantages, the tactic can be used quite effectively if the user is of a sufficiently significant profile. But do not be afraid to use it in your everyday dealings with the political opposition. Every little bit helps.
12/20/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Poo-Poo Your Opponent's RhetoricCategories :: Tactics
One of the many tactics that have been perfected by the Republicans -- and one that has infuriated a media-less, voiceless left -- is the brazen dismissal of their opponents arguments, accusations, complaints, and rhetoric. It is the first line of defense in every arena. It is the initial slap-down designed to stun and disorient the opponent, while simultaneously framing the rhetoric as some that is best left ignored.
12/17/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Conduct Questionable Behavior in the Name of the US and Label Those Who Criticize that Behavior as Un-AmericanCategories :: Tactics
I've seen it a million times. The GOP does something absolutely detestable (much of it was done under Reagan and Bush Sr.) and when a patriotic American calls these traitors on their un-American activities, those being called (i.e. the GOP) blame those who point out the truth as "anti-American". I know, it sounds like a pitiful, desperate attempt to dig themselves out of a hole. Unfortunately, people seem more likely to take the side of the McCarthyite GOP in such instances. There is little doubt that such tactics cow people into speaking for (or at least refrain from speaking against) the GOP's distorted position.
12/16/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Lampoon Your OpponentCategories :: Tactics
Lampoon the opposition, but don't offend the world. The objective is to lure the middle-of-the-roaders into your camp, not drive them into your opponent's.
12/15/04 :: By Tom Ball Jenna Bush to Fight for the Teachers' Unions?Categories :: Education :: Tactics
In the tradition of Laura, daughter Jenna Bush has applied for a teaching position at a public charter school in Washington DC. Isn't that nice? How does this fit into the grand scheme of the Karl Rove vision?
12/14/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Destroy the MessengerCategories :: Tactics
When accused, berated or maligned, attack the messengers. It doesn't matter if they're are accurate or not, just attack. Attack their credibility. Attack their character. Attack their ideology. Attack their sources. Attack their associations. Just attack. If you take the bait and start debating the veracity or even the necessity of the message content itself, you risk highlighting the content of the message -- and thus risk harm upon yourself. The idea is to avoid a confrontation on an issue that will most likely damage your credibility and/or reputation.
12/13/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Set them up to Knock Them Down - Joe Lieberman and the Democrats are SuckersCategories :: Tactics
Is Joe Lieberman blind or is he just a total moron? And what about John Corzine expressing such excitement about a Lieberman appointment as Homeland Security Chief? Have they been living in a cave?
12/13/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Never Concede an Inch to the OppositionCategories :: Tactics
In an age where Democratic concession to Republican demands has become standard practice, it is critical that we review and put into practice the godfather of all political tactics -- one at which Republicans are adept. It purveys power, decisiveness, and confidence -- and it is one that progressives must add to our arsenal if we ever hope to retake our rightful position as the accurate and dominant political representative of traditional "American Values".
12/10/04 :: By Stu Finkel The Great DebateCategories :: Democrats :: Satire :: Tactics
Tom Tomorrow nails in less than a nutshell why Democrats need to change the way they approach politics, and I can only hope that someone sends Harry Reid a thousand copies of this cartoon to be plastered as wallpaper in his Minority Leader's Office.
12/10/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Claim that Certain Facts are Evidence for the Opposite of What They Actually SupportCategories :: Tactics
In other words, when something exists -- a piece of evidence -- that supports your opponent's view, claim that it actually supports your view, NOT theirs.
12/10/04 :: By William Hare Progressives Need to Push Their Message, Not Run Away in the Interest of "Playing it safe"Categories :: Tactics
All I needed upon returning from a wonderful week in Buenos Aires was to come back to a resuscitation of the tired old message we have heard for so long: “If the Democrats want to win presidential elections they need to move toward the center.”
12/03/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Use Google News to Promote 'Unreported' NewsstoriesCategories :: Tactics
Many progressive sites spend precious energy lamenting the avoidance of various important news stories by the mainstream media -- something over which we have traditionally had little control. The invention of the internet...and subsequently the blog has given us a significant lift in ensuring that such stories gain some exposure. Unknown to many, however, is an additional tool in our arsenal -- Google News.
12/02/04 :: By Tom Ball Tokenism, It's Not Just For Breakfast AnymoreCategories :: Race :: Tactics
There's little doubt that Karl Rove prides himself on the image of inclusion that he has created for the Bush Administration. Indeed, you need look no further than Colin and Condi (fodder for an entire article unto themselves) for proof positive that the GOP is all about inclusion, acceptance and diversity. Quite a heavy burden to rest on the shoulders of two individuals. In reality, however, the celebration of Republican inclusiveness might be a touch premature.
11/23/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Buy Your Own Media OutletCategories :: Media :: Tactics
Duh! The Republicans did it with Fox News, The Washington Times, UPI and other institutions, foundations and organizations funded by right wing billionaires. Surely there are some left-wing billionaires that would feel obliged to pitch in and do the same. This media building can even start on a local level, buying various radio stations, newspapers and television stations.
10/19/04 :: By Delton Murphy Between Reason and FaithCategories :: Activism :: Election 2004 :: Kerry, John :: Progressive Strategy :: Tactics
With more than half of the country now against the war in Iraq we are faced with the uncanny dilemma of choosing between two pro-war presidential candidates in the midst of an unpopular war based on forged documents, fear tactics, manipulation, and misinformation.
10/13/04 :: By Stu Finkel GOP Firm Shredding New Voter Forms in NevadaCategories :: Elections :: Republicans :: Tactics
GOP hired voter registration firm in Nevada is accused of ripping up new Democratic voter registration forms.
09/30/04 :: By Tom Ball Bush, Iraq, al Qaeda and the Art of LyingCategories :: Lies :: Tactics
So versed in and so dependent upon lying is the Bush Administration to promote its agenda that they have developed and implemented a recognizable portfolio of lies.
* The “My word against your word” Lie
* The “Impossible to prove or disprove” Lie
* The “Gross distortion” Lie
* The “Irrelevant association” Lie
* The “Blatant” Lie
09/28/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Use the "Weasel Word" to Turn Opinion Into FactCategories :: Tactics
In line with the prior post, "Tactic: Assert Blatant Lies as a Matter of Opinion", I offer you the magical 'weasel word' that instantly transforms any opinion into a brazen assertion of fact...and includes built in plausibility of denial...after all, it was just your opinion.
09/28/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Assert Blatent Lies as a Matter of OpinionCategories :: Lies :: Tactics
We all know that this administration is rife with liars. However, they are usually careful to at least feign some minimal effort to cloud the lines between reality and what say. Not so with the 'Big K'. Karen Hughes, lead blocker for this inept administration, blew through the line as she lied this lie through her lying teeth.
09/22/04 :: By Delton Murphy The Anybody But Bush BusCategories :: Anti-War :: Campaigns :: Election 2004 :: Tactics
With just 40 days until this year's presidential election, many liberals and progressives like myself are terrified that George W. Bush may actually get a second term. Whether you believe the polls, the press, or the pundits really doesn't matter because there is only one bottom line concerning this election: we're in serious trouble.
09/21/04 :: By Drew Johnston Know Thy Enemy: What We Can Learn from the GOPCategories :: Tactics
In Michael Moore's latest "Mike's Message", he wrote the following: Enough of the handwringing! Enough of the doomsaying! Do I have to come there and personally calm you down? Stop with all the defeatism, OK? Bush IS a goner --...
09/21/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Use Grassroots Campaigns to Prop Agenda-Friendly Books Into the SpotlightCategories :: Tactics
When fighting for a cause -- in this case a progressive national agenda -- every battle is important. And victory can come in many forms.
08/31/04 :: By Mel Valentin Bush's Brain: How Did This Happen?Categories :: Tactics
Who is Karl Rove? And why is he the most powerful man in America that most people haven’t heard of? Karl Rove sits in the margins of the frame or stands in the corner during speeches made by the man...
08/25/04 :: By Tom Ball Kerry Sends Envoys to Bush RanchCategories :: Kerry-Edwards 2004 :: Tactics
The Kerry campaign has an interesting strategy to deal with the swift boat liars. First, let the record and the facts completely obliterate the liars’ accusations. Second, tie them inextricably to the Bush campaign.
07/19/04 :: By Tom Ball Top 25 Celebrities Turned Politicians: A Reference for Seekers of TruthCategories :: Reference :: Schwarzenegger, Arnold :: Tactics
Big news!! Arnold “I-had-to-use-illegal-steroids-to-make-me-the-man-I-am-today” Schwarzenegger called Democrats “Girlie Men”. Oh, what a world. Will he apologize? Will he not? God help us! Of course that's the best the GOP has to offer. All bluster and no substance. That's exemplified by Arnold because, not only is he an intellectual waste of space, but he is now one of the highest profile Republicans in the land...solely because of his celebrity status.
07/15/04 :: By Tom Ball Democrats' Strategy to Keep Cheney on the BC04 TicketCategories :: Bush-Cheney 2004 :: Tactics
This is brilliant! No. Not on the part of the Republicans, rather on the part of the Democrats. It is no secret that Cheney is a liability to the Bush-Cheney ticket and Democrats want more than anything to keep him partnered with Bush till the November election.
07/07/04 :: By Tom Ball Google Bomb Presidential Site, JohnKerry.comCategories :: Activism :: Tactics
'Google Bomb' www.JohnKerry.com with the word 'Presidential'.
06/27/04 :: By William Hare The Right is On the Run; Turn Up The Heat and Keep Them ThereCategories :: Tactics
The signs are clearly present. The right is terrified and is very much on the run. Analysts of right wing behavior can discern a clear pattern from recent events.
06/25/04 :: By Tom Ball Mississippi Burning: Help Bring "Fahrenheit 9/11" To this Right-Wing StrongholdCategories :: Tactics
Listen up everybody. Let's try to bring "Fahrenheit 9/11" to Mississippi and allow these fine people to be enlightened by the reality of the administration that they support so strongly. This is how we will do it...
06/24/04 :: By Tactic: Know the Criticisms of "Fahrenheit 9/11"Categories :: Propaganda/Spin :: Tactics
Progressives at every level must be prepared to defend Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11". This involves not only exposing the lies and misstatements intended to undermine Moore's credibility, but also keeping the focus on the big picture.
06/24/04 :: By William Hare How do you Energize the Political Process? How About Bill Clinton for Vice President?Categories :: Tactics
A recent national poll reveals that Bill Clinton’s presidency is viewed favorably by 62 percent of Americans. Couple this with the fact that Clinton had a higher support figure upon leaving office than even Ronald Reagan. Also, see how the entire political process has been energized by his reemergence this week to promote his memoirs. An intriguing prospect arises. Should the two-term ex-president, whose national stewardship was viewed by better than sixty percent of his countrymen as successful, be John Kerry’s choice for vice president on the Democratic ticket this year?
06/22/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: See “Fahrenheit 9/11” on Opening WeekendCategories :: Bush Administration :: History :: Tactics
Michael Moore’s newest bush-throttling, truth-bearing documentary, “Fahrenheit 9/11” is inundated with such “old news” revelations. Revelations of which the American public should be boldly aware before entering the polling stations in November.
06/22/04 :: By William Hare Right Wing Republican Flag BurningCategories :: Tactics
The Republican right has freely exercised the vicious propaganda ploy of seeking to co-opt the American flag while seeking to define liberal opponents as anything from indifferent to the nation’s basic values to outright treason, as evidenced by speeches of Senator Joseph McCarthy and books by Ann Coulter. While the Republican right has denounced as despicable the act of flag burning, a close analysis reveals that this pompously self-righteous group has engaged in perennial flag burning, not of the overt kind, but symbolically.
06/21/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Implement Radical Policy in Baby StepsCategories :: Iraq :: Propaganda/Spin :: Tactics :: Women's Rights
Technique: Focus on Major issues piecemeal. Do not address them as a controversial whole. Instead, focus on the least objectionable parts. Once these have been accepted, then it is much easier to lead logically from the accepted piece to the more controversial whole.
06/17/04 :: By Tom Ball "America - Love it or leave it!": New Slogan of the Free Speech MovementCategories :: Philosophy :: Tactics
I think "America- Love it or leave it" should become the slogan of the free speech movement. As the freedom to speak one's views is surely one of the most cherished of our individual liberties, is it not clearly those who would attempt to silence the voice of others who are out of place here?
06/10/04 :: By Tom Ball Hannity and Colmes Downplay Their Opponent's RhetoricCategories :: Tactics
The other day, I wrote a piece titled Tactic: Downplay the Opponents Rhetoric that essentially showed how the legitimacy of your opponent’s argument can be undermined by simply ignoring the substance of his argument while providing a vitriolic or dismissive attack on your opponent’s words (or underlying agenda or other peripheral, easily attacked attributes) rather than acknowledging the facts and logic of your opponent’s argument. Luckily, Fox News Celebs, Sean Hannity and Alan Colmes were gracious enough to provide us with a vivid and timely example of this tactic at its best.
06/09/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Choose as Your Spokesperson, a Representative From Your Weakest DemographicCategories :: Tactics
Make a point to notice that the proportion of women and minorities on TV talk shows representing Republicans is far out of proportion with the percent of the Republican constituency accounted for by them. Seeing such diversity on talk shows and editorial pages confuses the public and clouds the lines between the conservative and progressive ideologies.
06/06/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Be AggressiveCategories :: Tactics
Being aggressive helps push the debate to an issue most favorable to you. It puts your opponent on the defensive and gives the impression that you are tough, that you will not be someone's doormat.
06/05/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Be BoldCategories :: Tactics
Most people are not bold. For when bold acts are executed, there are consequences. Often negative. In reality, we may think of bold things but rarely bring them to fruition. Why is that? Generally, people want to avoid tension or conflict and be liked by everyone. People are concerned with what others will think of them. Often, the mere anticipation of criticism is enough to thwart any attempts at boldness.
06/04/04 :: By Delton Murphy Voting Wrongs: How Touch Screen Voting is a Catastrophe in the MakingCategories :: Election 2004 :: Elections :: Government :: Republicans :: Tactics
If the Canadians can use paper ballots in their presidential election and count their votes in four hours, why are we having such a difficult time counting and deciding how to count our votes in the United States? When did this become so hard for us to do?
06/03/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Downplay the Opponents RhetoricCategories :: Tactics
Technique: Dismiss, berate, minimize or otherwise talk down any nonsupportive evidence or opinions thrown your way. Claim that the news or accusation is silly, irrelevant and/or unimportant. Whatever it is, it's silly. Stress that this is merely a distraction technique intended to take the focus off the true issue. At this point you state what you want the "true" issue to be. Of course this will be an issue that is to your advantage.
05/31/04 :: By William Hare Is Kerry's Virginia Strategy part of a Regional Test?Categories :: Tactics
Speculation abounds this weekend about John Kerry’s decision to enter the Virginia political advertising market. While Republican strategists were expressing outward glee over the decision, contending that Kerry is wasting his money in a state he stands no chance of winning, the effort could signal a broader strategy that merits sober reflection.
05/29/04 :: By William Hare Gore New and OldCategories :: Tactics
Al Gore's rousing speech at New York University highlighting the appalling performance of the Bush administration in Iraq prompts an analysis of him comparing present and past demeanors. The new Gore has conceded that, if he had it to do it all over again in his run for the presidency, he would be less cautious and "let it rip."
05/28/04 :: By William Hare Senator Kerry: Adopt an Aggressive StrategyCategories :: Tactics
Senator Kerry, shedding Bush Lite is a must in running a winning campaign. What is needed is to go into more of an attack mode. The Karl Rove mean machine has no issues, no real Bush second term programs will be presented for debate in an issues-oriented context, and the whole scope of the campaign will be relentless pit bull 30-second attack ads. The only proposals considered will be on the order of a constitutional amendment on marriage, faith-based initiatives and the like, programs based more on propaganda and dividing Americans than on the real needs of the citizenry. How wonderful it would be to have open debates on health care, the environment, and real homeland security. None of this will come to pass. Karl Rove's role model remains Richard Nixon and the ideal campaign model will continue to be the Lee Atwater-Roger Ailes 1988 mud storm against Michael Dukakis.
05/27/04 :: By Delton Murphy Reversing The Course: An Iraq Exit PlanCategories :: Anti-War :: Bush Administration :: Iraq :: Progressive Strategy :: Tactics
The United States must make a dramatic reversal of course and recognize that the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq is destabilizing and counterproductive.
05/26/04 :: By William Hare Senator Kerry: Banish Bush LiteCategories :: Tactics
Senator Kerry, without sounding like a prude I would urge you to be a certain kind of political teetotaler and banish Bush Lite. This tactic of attempting to play it safe is ultimately unsafe with the result of defeat.
05/22/04 :: By William Hare Senator Kerry: Bring Back the Rapid Response TeamCategories :: Elections :: Kerry, John :: Tactics
The current marathon presidential campaign, which Senator John McCain has already labeled as the nastiest he has ever seen, is reminiscent of several other noted campaigns. Two of them date back to the second decade of the nineteenth century.
05/21/04 :: By William Hare Senator Kerry: Remember 1964?Categories :: Elections :: Kerry, John :: Tactics
American politics is replete with historical precedents. Victory is often achieved by how astutely a candidate can read today’s tealeaves through the prism of yesteryear’s politics. Senator John Kerry should take a reflective look back forty years at the presidential campaign of 1964 and adopt it as a blueprint for victory against George W. Bush in 2004.
05/19/04 :: By Tom Ball Political Branding: What do Democrats Stand For?Categories :: Tactics
Let’s face it. Most people are not visionaries. Even those with vision are often beaten down by the belief that they lack the resources, power or influence to act on their vision.
05/18/04 :: By Tom Ball Tactic: Support the Opposition UnderdogCategories :: Elections :: Tactics
Say you are running for office and your opponent is formidable (maybe even superior). How do you most easily undermine his or her candidacy?
05/16/04 :: By Tom Ball Every Word Matters: Using 'Keywords' as a Political TacticCategories :: Tactics
In 1990, Newt Gingrich published a booklet he called "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control". He mailed his little manifesto to Republican leaders throughout the land and encouraged them to "paint a vivid, brilliant word picture." Gingrich, showing a distrust for his fellow Republicans' judgement, saw fit to supply the leaders with two lists of keywords, a positive word list to use in describing themselves and a negative keyword list to describe those evil Democrats.
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