Bush spin: turning complicatedness into flip-flop, how do we counter?

[drdigi420]

The bush campaign is being very effective in spinning an understanding that an issue is complicated into "8 different positions on Iraq". How can we counter this dishonest approach?

1. Can we show that Bush is such a simpleton that he can't understand the complexity of the issue and that's why he thinks Kerry flip-flops?

2. Can we show that the issue IS complex, and not a simple black 'n white that seems to appeal to most simpleton voters?

3. Can we get the media to discuss the minutea of the the issue without boring the pants off the less interested and less educated among us?

Let's face it, whichever party can sell themselves to the ignorant and uninformed people the best is going to win.

Got any ideas?

[Guaranteed]

1. Consistency.

And letters to the media whores telling them to correct the distortions.

[skooooo]

2. I think it shows a lack of understanding...

Calling everything a flip flop just shows you don't know how to think or understand anything beyond Sesame Street.

[drdigi420]

3. How can we turn this into making fun of people too stupid to get it?

Sarcasm and ridicule. We need to hammer them hard now. Make it a joke to be a Bush supporter.

Time to crank it up guys!

Wear a BOMB TEXAS shirt!

[dumpster_baby]

7. YES! Go for Ridicule and Sarcasm over Reason

Put them in service of reason...whatever works.....

[Guaranteed]

16. LOL BEAUTIFUL

I LOVE the way you think. You're right on.

[ClassWarrior]

4. 23.

The Excuse pResident has given 23 different excuse for taking us to war in Iraq.

(Simple. Repeat often.)

[ClassWarrior]

23. 23.

[speedoo]

5. Undermine the coWard with facts about coWard's lies.

He did this very well in the speech.

If an undecided voter listens to today's speech, unfiltered, Kerry gets that vote.

Just negate the spin with facts.

[flpoljunkie]

6. How's this? JK: "Bush has offered 23 different rationales for this war."

By one count, the President offered 23 different rationales for this war.  If his purpose was to confuse and mislead the American people, he succeeded.

His two main rationales – weapons of mass destruction and the Al Qaeda/September 11 connection – have been proved false… by the President’s own weapons inspectors… and by the 9/11 Commission.  Just last week, Secretary of State Powell acknowledged the facts.  Only Vice President Cheney still insists that the earth is flat.

The President also failed to level with the American people about what it would take to prevail in Iraq. 

Link to entire speech:

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2004_0920.html

[ClassWarrior]

9. 23 excuses.

Yeah, baybee...

[drdigi420]

15. got a list of the 23 excuses?

[ClassWarrior]

19. Kanrok claims there are 27 here:

http://www.pol.uiuc.edu/news/largio.htm

But since Kerry said 23, I say we go with 23.

[drdigi420]

12. I like it, mebbe we need bumperstickers and t-shirts

should I get started?

[ClassWarrior]

17. 23 excuses. Yup. Get started.

[drdigi420]

22. I need a list

I'm gonna put 23 Excuses in big letters on the front superimposed over a map of iraq

I'd like to list all 23 on the back

Sort of a parody of the Golf Excuse Shirt, Bowling Excuse Shirt, etc

[drdigi420]

28. So far I got 10

1. Weapons of Mass Destruction

2. Connection to 9/11

3. Connection to Al Qaeda

4. Violating UN resolutions

5. Denying Inspectors

6. Liberating Iraqi People

7. Threat to Region

8. Harboring Terrorists

9. Weapons of Mass Destruction Related Program Activities

10. Regime Change

[LoZoccolo]

8. "Republicans generally aren't smart enough to understand the position."

That one buys you enough time to explain it. After that you can use "Bush* thought you weren't smart enough to know this".

[LoZoccolo]

11. Then, "Bush* will continue to treat you like you're stupid." n/t

[LoZoccolo]

18. Then, "do you /like/ being treated like you're stupid or something?" n/t

[shoelace414]

10. comic

[Fovea]

13. It's not Ron Reagan's Black and White world anymore

Today our conflicts are not simply with nations and governments.
Winning these conflicts will determine whether America is a safe nation in a safer world, or the Titanic.

It is not enough to stand on the prow and yell that you are king of the world. When danger appears off the bow, you must be a real pilot, not commander codpiece.

[FatSlob]

14. JK needs to talk like an executive.

He needs to speak plainly and in a straight-forward manner, which is exactly the opposite of what legislators usually do. The shrubbery out-communicates the Senator. Why? He generally speaks plainly, and keeps his message simple. Senator Kerry is too complicated and nuanced in his speech. He needs to work on that. He goes over the heads of many.

[annabanana]

20. ONLY IDIOTS ARE MISSING THE POINT!!

This is so simple that my DOG can understand what a f*ck-up Bush is!
Any 5 year old who can reach the lever can understand why we have to vote for Kerry!!

He is SO STUPID that he still believes that Bush is a Cowboy and Iraq was a GOOD IDEA!............sheesh

[BootinUp]

21. Ridicule them, slyly chuckle, charm the audience while

explaining what dolts they are. Basically get Mike McCurry out in front of the mic, and some of the other good surrogates, Wes Clark, Edwards, Lockhart, others I can't think of.

[Sparkly]

24. Use a metaphor

For example, steering the ship of state: Bush* congratulates himself for refusing to adjust the wheel, despite running into disaster after disaster -- he's proud to be "unwavering." Refusing to admit a single mistake, he refuses to recognize that people are suffering from his policies on healthcare, the economy, jobs, and Iraq -- just steers blithely along.

If turning the wheel away from proven disaster and toward safety/success is a "flip-flop," a lot of people are wishing he'd "flip-flop!"

OR maybe one-liners:

"If you're driving straight for a cliff, is it better to turn the car or stay the course?"

"Bush says it's 'sending mixed signals' to terrorists to talk about ways to win war on terror, rather than remaining 'steady' in promoting fear and failure."

"Success would be a flip-flop from Bush's continual failure; but he assures us he'll remain 'steady and unwavering.'"

Maybe there are better metaphors.

[soothsayer]

25. How do we counter any criticism of * = being negative/pessimistic

bastard spinmeisters

[ClassWarrior]

26. Just another excuse.

Answer the questions, Bush*, and quit making excuses.

23.

[MsTryska]

27. This Ain't Hooked on Phonics....

this is Public Fuckin' Policy. it ain't easy.



(no? a little too "teamster" you think?)

[PurityOfEssence]

29. Only liars try to make it simple

Liars and imbeciles, that is.

If you're scared of complexity, elect someone who isn't, instead of someone who is.

The world is complicated; people with simple answers cause mayhem. Everything the Bushies have snorted that they knew is wrong. The economy sucks. Tax cuts for the rich aren't a stimulus. Iraqis hate us. Al Queda hated Saddam. Global Warming's real.

[PurityOfEssence]

30. "Don't blame me if you can't understand reality"

If you think you're going to just smash things and make the world over in our image, you're in for a big shock.

Turn it back on them: tell them they're not up to grasping the situation and impugn their perception. Don't call them stupid; stupid people hate that. Tell them they're being flim-flammed by people who are dishonest.

[drdigi420]

31. Too stupid for details!