Current republican rhetorical technique in NPR interviews
Spokesman:
Step 1: Sound patronizingly Wary about the Terrible Hidden Implications of a single obscure line of text and that it's just awful that the innocent American People don't understand yet because the Conservatives haven't gotten their fair say, just how dangerous and naive and radical and unamerican the text's source is..
Step 2: Explain in a grandfatherly way that our country was built on very different principles than the newly provided explanation of that context-divorced text.
Step 3: Say word-for-word "the country hasn't had a chance in a long time to discuss governing principles, and we Conservatives look forward to that debate/chance to educate the american people"
Step 4: Conclude briefly by pointing out that Obama is a radical, whatever recent decision he's making is unprecedented and naive, and say something that reminds everybody how old the Republican Party is.
30% - 40% of Listeners: "I don't really understand what you just said and how it relates to anything, it all sounds very minute and technical. But you and a number of other talking heads I trust seem awfully worked up over it and it sounds like you know a lot about this, especially if you know to be worked up about something that seems so small to me. Sneaky insidious democrats! Well, I trust you boys and if that thing you just said is a reason that I too should be all worked up like you are, say it to me one more time so that I can have some words to repeat by way of explaining why my hackles are up, and if other people don't think the words you've taught me makes sense, I'll just know that it means they're naive and not well versed enough in the subject to agree."
The Rest: "that guy just tried to feed me a load'a %*(#@&" *tunes out
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Democrat Caller: "Republican party spokesperson, it seems your arguments miss the fact that you had your chance as a party to do whatever you wanted, and it screwed up the country badly. May I see the huge brass pair you must have tucked away in your knickers in order for you to be suggesting that what we need is more republican ideas?"
Spokesman: "The caller seems to be making a very common mistake (((sounding sad but helpful))) confusing Republican ideas for Conservative ones (((Lets the word Conservative sparkle for a minute in the sun))) The reason the most recent Bush administration failed is that they weren't True to Conservative principles and I think the country knows that. What Conservatives (((you can be one too, you don't even have to know what it means!!!))) understand is that the Bush wasn't conservative at all, they were just Republicans. Conservatives didn't even support him. (((so if you're a republican who left because of bush, please please please come home)))
Smarmy Sarcastic Caller: "so how do I put these magical Conservatives in office that will save us all with their bright shiny Time Tested Principles?
Response: *trapped "Oh, well, you, uh, vote Republican!"
Step 1: Sound patronizingly Wary about the Terrible Hidden Implications of a single obscure line of text and that it's just awful that the innocent American People don't understand yet because the Conservatives haven't gotten their fair say, just how dangerous and naive and radical and unamerican the text's source is..
Step 2: Explain in a grandfatherly way that our country was built on very different principles than the newly provided explanation of that context-divorced text.
Step 3: Say word-for-word "the country hasn't had a chance in a long time to discuss governing principles, and we Conservatives look forward to that debate/chance to educate the american people"
Step 4: Conclude briefly by pointing out that Obama is a radical, whatever recent decision he's making is unprecedented and naive, and say something that reminds everybody how old the Republican Party is.
30% - 40% of Listeners: "I don't really understand what you just said and how it relates to anything, it all sounds very minute and technical. But you and a number of other talking heads I trust seem awfully worked up over it and it sounds like you know a lot about this, especially if you know to be worked up about something that seems so small to me. Sneaky insidious democrats! Well, I trust you boys and if that thing you just said is a reason that I too should be all worked up like you are, say it to me one more time so that I can have some words to repeat by way of explaining why my hackles are up, and if other people don't think the words you've taught me makes sense, I'll just know that it means they're naive and not well versed enough in the subject to agree."
The Rest: "that guy just tried to feed me a load'a %*(#@&" *tunes out
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democrat Caller: "Republican party spokesperson, it seems your arguments miss the fact that you had your chance as a party to do whatever you wanted, and it screwed up the country badly. May I see the huge brass pair you must have tucked away in your knickers in order for you to be suggesting that what we need is more republican ideas?"
Spokesman: "The caller seems to be making a very common mistake (((sounding sad but helpful))) confusing Republican ideas for Conservative ones (((Lets the word Conservative sparkle for a minute in the sun))) The reason the most recent Bush administration failed is that they weren't True to Conservative principles and I think the country knows that. What Conservatives (((you can be one too, you don't even have to know what it means!!!))) understand is that the Bush wasn't conservative at all, they were just Republicans. Conservatives didn't even support him. (((so if you're a republican who left because of bush, please please please come home)))
Smarmy Sarcastic Caller: "so how do I put these magical Conservatives in office that will save us all with their bright shiny Time Tested Principles?
Response: *trapped "Oh, well, you, uh, vote Republican!"