Word: careful
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...right words, and keep using them. As the Focus Group Shakespeare, Luntz's memo is packed with poll-driven, soundbite-friendly phrases to choose from. Expect to hear Republicans soon speaking earnestly of preserving "the sacred doctor-patient relationship" by never "putting politicians in charge of your health care." And not just any old politicians, but "federal bureaucrats, Washington lobbyists and out-of-touch politicians." Luntz even strings his creations together into mini-speeches on the topic, including phrases such as this soon-to-be C-SPAN classic: "We need targeted reform with measurable results that improves patient care...
...Leave Obama out of it. Though he doesn't say so directly, Luntz makes clear that the President's popularity is too much for the GOP to counter right now. So better to frame the health care fight as a battle between Republicans and Democrats, or, better still, Americans and politicians. "If you make this debate about Republicans vs. Obama, you lose...
...manipulative and synthetic as "The Language of Health Care 2009" often sounds, the bottom line is Luntz knows what he's doing. He's widely credited for helping Republicans seize and maintain control of Congress in the 1990s, and many Luntzisms continue to be staples of Washington rhetoric (just think of how often you hear about "tax relief"). Every American has a stake in the massive battle coming over health care reform, and voters would be wise to understand the weapons deployed to sway public opinion on both sides. However, how to craft smart reform and find common ground...
...economy. If he succeeds, he probably will be re-elected. But Barack Obama's place in history will be determined by the long-term structural changes he initiates, and his most important legacy battle is just beginning as Congress tackles the holy grail of modern liberalism, a universal health-care system...
...proposed a specific plan, allowing, instead, a proposal to percolate through the Congress. "Everything about this process seems the polar opposite of 15 years ago," says John Rother of AARP. "The Administration seems determined not to make the same mistakes as Clinton did." (See the five truths about health care in America...