MEMO
From: Frank Luntz, Luntz Global, LLC
To: Republican candidates for office, 2014 midterm election
Re: Campaign talking points
Dear ,
As you are well aware, midterm elections are fast
approaching. As a candidate for elected office, you will be giving many
speeches, interviews, panel discussions, etc. and it necessary for you to be
well prepared for these public interactions.
To help with your preparations, we are offering a handy
guide to appropriate and inappropriate response strategies to today’s most
controversial topics. The liberal press is always ready to pounce on
conservative candidates who may express their valid beliefs in less than
articulate ways. So keep this guide handy and stay on message. United we stand,
divided we fall.
Best of luck with your campaign.
Topic: Abortion
Strategy: Avoidance. Change the subject.
Examples:
“I’m here today to talk about (national defense, Flag Day, puppies,
etc.) not abortion.”
“My views on this subject are well known. Is that pork I
smell?”
“Accordions? I love accordions. Next question.”
Topic: Women’s rights
Strategy: Empathize. Change the subject.
Examples:
“Some of my best friends are women. That’s a lovely dress.
Very flattering.”
“My mother was a woman. Don’t tell me I don’t know anything
about women. My god, it’s a UFO.”
“I truly value the contributions women make to society. My
wife is the boss. I let her make all the important decisions in our family. Now,
let’s talk baseball.”
Topic: Global Warming
Strategy: Question science. Change the subject.
Examples:
“The minute we put science ahead of common sense, we lose
our humanity in a gas ball of data and lifeless facts. Go with your gut, and my
gut tells me it’s lunch time.”
“Oooh, let’s bow down and worship the scientists. They’re
little wizards who know so much more than we mere mortals. Ooooh. Give me a
break. Are they smarter than God? Let us pray.”
“The scientific community is in utter chaos regarding global
warming. In fact, I read yesterday there was a running gun battle between pro-
and anti-global warming factions at the University of Zurich, and that reminds
me of a story about my father…”
Topic: President Obama
Strategy: Nothing is off limits. Be creative.
Examples:
“I have seen photos that prove Barack Obama clubbed baby
seals with a prosthetic limb stolen from a decorated Iraq war veteran.”
“No one has yet proved that Obama is not an Al Qaeda agent
trained in Afghanistan who has had extensive plastic surgery and vocal chord
replacement.”
“There are documents that prove conclusively that Obama is
the point man for a secret society that sacrifices white babies on the altar to
Elathan, a Celtic lord of darkness.”
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