I stand apoplectic at the continuing science denial reflected in this funny but ineffectual “guide”.
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This DCCC piece would receive an F in any cognitive psychology class. As much as it hurts to hear it, decades of work in cognitive psychology, behavioral economics and social psychology show that facts and logic are not terribly persuasive -people are far more motivated by moral values (i.e., beliefs about right and wrong) and emotions. Conservatives have known this for half a century.
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Humans are not the rational actors we like to think we are. Nobel prizes have been awarded for the science that proves it. Put another way, if simply presenting facts and logic actually worked, we’d already have all the voters we need.
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Never, ever, ever, repeat your opponent’s talking points. I can’t imagine why this is not obvious. Mentioning your opponent’s points strengthens them by repetition and keeps you in the frames your opponent has chosen. Republican strategists know we do this; don’t take the bait! You are under no obligation to answer any of their talking points. Instead get on with your message.
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Have a conversation about why you care about an issue and what you believe is right or wrong. Relate it to real people and real situations. Doing this almost always results in a less confrontational conversation. Sometimes it will get even Uncle Fred to say “I never thought of it that way”. Seed planted.
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Practice political triage: Crazy Uncle Fred is not your target. If you had infinite time and energy you might undo decades of right wing propaganda, but is Uncle Fred really person the DCCC thinks we should spend our time on? And would the ensuing food fight convince anyone else at the table?
Here’s hoping the next time the DCCC hires the talented graphic designer they also create something that’s a product of this century, not something from a thoroughly debunked old theory the Republicans rightly dropped in the last one.
